Folkestone & Hythe District Council is asking for clothing for people who cannot return to their homes while structural investigations into the fire-damaged Grand Burstin Hotel continue.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has appealed for donations of clothing for people who cannot return to their homes while structural investigations into the Grand Burstin Hotel continue. Donations can be taken to Cheriton Network, on Cheriton High Street, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10am and 2pm.

Kent Police was called to the fire at the hotel on Marine Parade at around 1.20am on Saturday 19 September. Around 280 hotel guests were evacuated, and about 90 residents of Pavilion Court on Marine Terrace, next to the hotel, were moved out as a precaution over concerns that the fire may have weakened the hotel’s structure.

The council’s housing team is arranging temporary accommodation and support for those displaced. A welfare centre was set up at Three Hills Sports Park in Cheriton for evacuated hotel guests.

Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called back to the hotel on Wednesday 23 September after reports of smoke, which the service said was caused by smouldering laundry. Because of concerns about the structure of the building, a firefighting robot was used to put out the remaining hotspots and dampen down the surrounding area. Crews left the scene that afternoon but will make routine visits to check for further hotspots.

Kent Police said on 21 September that a 38-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, both from the local area, had been arrested the previous day in connection with the fire. Both have been released while enquiries continue. Anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 652006, quoting 46/155727/26.

No date has been given for when displaced residents will be able to return home.

Key information

  • Drop-off point: Cheriton Network, Cheriton High Street, Folkestone, CT19 4DX
  • Collection times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am–2pm
  • Information about the fire: Kent Police, 01622 652006, quoting 46/155727/26

Sources