Final update at 11.30am on 20 September: 

Firefighting operations are now complete at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.

Crews have left the scene but routine revisits will be carried out to check for any hotspots. 

Road closures remain in place, and people are advised to check for latest travel and diversion updates.

People who have been evacuated from nearby Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace as a precaution, due to structural concerns, are being supported by Folkestone and Hythe District Council.

Guests from the Grand Burstin can contact Britannia Hotels for further information.

Update at 7.30am on 20 September: 

One fire engine remains at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, where crews are mointoring for any remain hotpots. 

Update at 8.45pm: 

Three fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene of an earlier fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone. 

Crews are continuing to monitor and extinguish any remaining hotspots, and will stay in attendance overnight. 

At the height of the incident, control operators sent 26 fire engines and specialist units to the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze. 

Around 280 people evacuated the building, and a rest centre was organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council.  

Welfare and support was provided by KFRS' Volunteer Response Team and The Salvation Army, SECAmb and HART paramedics also attended, and Kent Police assisted with traffic control. 

Our operational response was supported by colleagues at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The cause of the incident is being treated as suspicious. 

Thank you to local businesses and residents for your patience and understanding while emergency services continue to work at the scene. 

Update at 5.30pm: 

An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, which is being treated as suspicious. 

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or might have relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, particularly from 10pm on Friday 18 September to 12.30am on Saturday 19 September, is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/155727/26.

Footage can also be directly uploaded via this public portal.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form. 

Four fire engines, a height vehicle and the technical rescue unit remain in attendance, and firefighting operations are ongoing.

Update at 3pm:

Crews are continuing to work at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour, Folkestone. 

Nine fire engines and the technical rescue unit are currently in attendance.

The road will remain closed while emergency services continue to work in the area.

Thank you for the understanding and patience of businesses and residents while firefighters and teams work to make the scene safe.

Update at 11am: 

Firefighters are continuing to work at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour, Folkestone. 

The incident has been reduced to seven fire engines, and the technical rescue unit is also in attendance. 

The road remains closed while emergency services continue to work in the area. 

Update at 8.30am:

Ten fire engines remain at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour, Folkestone.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus have worked hard to bring the fire under control and are now dampening down any remaining hotspots.

It's believed the fire started in the basement of the property, but the cause is not yet known.

Around 280 people evacuated the building, and a welfare centre has been organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council.  

No fire-related injuries have been reported.

Members of KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team are on-hand to offer advice and support, and The Salvation Army is providing welfare to crews.

Road closures remain in place while emergency services continue to work at the scene. 

Initial update: 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responding to reports of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour, Folkestone.

At the height of the incident, control operators sent 26 fire engines and a height vehicle to the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus are working to extinguish the fire. 

Fifteen fire engines and a height vehicle remain in attendance and firefighters are continuing to make good progress. 

It's believed the fire started in the basement of the property, but the cause is not yet known.

The building has been evacuated, and a welfare centre has been arranged with Folkestone and Hythe District Council.  

Officers from Kent Police are in attendance to assist with traffic control, and KFRS' Volunteer Response Team is providing support and advice.