Požar u hotelu Folkestone: Spavajući gosti evakuirani dok vatra prolazi kroz hotel u noćnom kaosu

A major fire at a seaside hotel in Folkestone, England, has been treated as suspicious by local police. The incident occurred at the Grand Burstin Hotel, located on Marine Parade, shortly after midnight on Saturday, 19 September 2026. Approximately 280 guests and staff were evacuated from the building following the blaze, which started in the basement. Kent Fire & Rescue Service deployed 26 fire engines to the scene initially, and crews worked through the night to contain the fire. As of late Saturday evening, three fire engines and a height vehicle remained on-site, with firefighting operations still ongoing. Kent Police confirmed that the fire is being investigated as a possible act of arson. They have appealed for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage from the area between 10 pm on Friday and 12:30 am on Saturday to contact them. A police spokesperson stated that officers were called to the scene at approximately 1:20 am and are assisting with traffic management while fire crews work to fully extinguish the blaze. Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing. According to the fire service, the blaze was described as "very severe," raising concerns about the structural integrity of the hotel. Station manager Lawrence Pater noted that the building required inspection by specialists to assess its stability. The Folkestone & Hythe District Council established a welfare center at the Three Hills Sports Park to accommodate evacuees. Nearby residents were advised to close windows and doors, avoid the area, and follow emergency service instructions. Residents and guests described the intensity of the fire. Bill Owen, who checked in to the hotel later in the day, said the heat coming from the car park was "incredible." He added that the thick black smoke was visible and even tasted noticeable. Another guest, Ross Honeycomb, recounted waking up to fire alarms at about 1:00 am and seeing smoke billowing from the underground car park. He mentioned hearing explosions during the evacuation. Several individuals spoke about the chaos of the evacuation. One guest, who was on the fourth floor, said she was startled awake by the alarm and had to rush out quickly. She eventually found refuge at the Harbour Inn, a local pub that opened its doors to evacuees. Pub owner Ben Cuthbert estimated that around 200 people spent the night there, receiving treatment for minor injuries such as sprains and cuts. A newlywed couple celebrating their honeymoon at the hotel were among those forced to flee. Mandy Greenwood described the experience as a nightmare, noting that their romantic getaway had turned into a life-threatening situation. Jeff Gardner, a U.S. tourist visiting for an ancestry trip, said he left the hotel via a fire escape at around 1:15 am and later heard what he believed were explosions. The Grand Burstin Hotel, operated by the Britannia Hotels Group, has 550 rooms and overlooks Folkestone’s harbor. A company representative confirmed that emergency services were on site and that the firm was cooperating fully with authorities to ensure the safety of guests and staff. The fire service reported that no injuries related to the fire had been recorded, although several people received medical attention for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. As of late Saturday, 10 fire engines remained at the scene, with crews using breathing apparatus to manage the situation. The fire service continued to dampen down any remaining hotspots. The Salvation Army and the Volunteer Response Team of Kent Fire & Rescue Service were also present, providing support to both evacuees and emergency personnel. Road closures remained in effect to facilitate the work of emergency services.