Arabic version: إجلاء سكان بعد مخاوف بشأن السلامة إثر حريق فندق في فولكستون

According to BBC News, Folkestone and Hythe District Council has evacuated 90 residents from Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace after safety inspectors raised concerns that a severe fire at the nearby Grand Burstin Hotel may have weakened the building’s structure.

The blaze began in the basement of the hotel on Marine Parade in the early hours of Saturday. About 280 people were evacuated from the hotel, while Kent Fire & Rescue Service sent 26 engines to the scene at about 01:05 BST. The firefighting operation ended on Sunday and the site was handed to Kent Police.

Kent Police said the fire is being treated as suspicious and appealed for witnesses. Britannia Hotels Group, which runs the Grand Burstin, said it was fully cooperating with police and remained in close contact with relevant authorities.

The council said Pavilion Court residents had been provided hotel accommodation in Folkestone and that it was arranging alternative housing while the Grand Burstin undergoes further assessments and any works needed to make it safe. A welfare centre was set up at Three Hills Sports Park for hotel residents evacuated on Saturday.

Station manager Lawrence Pater described the fire as “very severe” and said concerns had been raised over the hotel’s structural integrity. Council chief executive Susan Priest said organisations including Three Hills, Morrisons and the Salvation Army had helped support visitors and residents with food and hot drinks.