Two individuals have been taken into custody following a significant fire at a seaside hotel that forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and guests.
Kent Police confirmed that a 38-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested in connection with the blaze at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone on Saturday. The fire ignited in the early morning hours at the Marine Parade location, prompting emergency services to evacuate approximately 280 people from the building.
In addition to those evacuated from the hotel itself, a further 90 residents were displaced from Pavilion Court on Marine Terrace after safety inspectors raised structural concerns about the building, according to Folkestone & Hythe District Council. Both arrested individuals have since been released pending the continuation of police inquiries.
The blaze began at approximately 01:20 BST, and Kent Police maintained road closures in the area to allow investigation teams to conduct their work. Authorities are treating the fire as suspicious and have appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with information.
This incident follows a pattern of suspicious fires affecting seaside and leisure venues across the region. The evacuation at the Grand Burstin Hotel represents one of the largest emergency responses to a fire at a hospitality venue in recent months, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety at coastal attractions and holiday destinations.
