Hundreds evacuated after fire at Folkestone hotel in Kent

Around 280 people were evacuated from the Grand Burstin hotel in Folkestone, Kent, after a large fire broke out overnight, with no injuries reported. The blaze is believed to have started in the basement. Emergency services were called just after 1am on Saturday, and 26 fire engines were dispatched to the seafront hotel. A welfare centre was set up at Three Hills Sports Park, and residents were advised to close windows and avoid the area. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and ten fire engines remained at the scene to dampen down hotspots. The hotel, which overlooks Folkestone's harbour, has 550 rooms.