Police are continuing to investigate a fire which severely damaged an historic hotel in Kent and forced hundreds of people to be evacuated to safety.

The blaze broke out at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour in Folkestone in the early hours of Saturday.

Around 280 people were inside at the time, but all left the building safely and no injuries have been reported.

A further 90 people have since been asked to leave an adjoining property due to concerns about the structure of the hotel building.

Kent Police said detectives now believe the fire was started deliberately in the basement and are appealing for information.

The hotel had previously been used to house asylum seekers, though this ended in 2014 and it had recently received a major refurbishment after investment from owner Britannia Hotels.

Here is everything we know about the incident.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was first called to the blaze at 1.05am on Saturday.

It is believed to have started in the basement of the hotel and pictures show a number of burnt out cars and charred rubble.

At its peak, there were 26 appliances and dozens of firefighters at the scene. All hotels guests and staff were evacuated from the building.

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran took to X to praise the emergency services, commending firefighters for responding “rapidly, professionally and with saving lives at the forefront of their minds”.

Police ask for footage in hours leading up to the fire

Kent Police is now investigating and say they believe the fire may have been started deliberately.

Detectives have asked for any dashcam or mobile phone footage people may believe is relevant.

A spokesperson for Kent Police declined to say whether the hotel’s historic links with asylum seekers is a line of inquiry, adding: “The investigation is ongoing.”

In particular, they are interested in footage from the area between 10pm on Friday night and 12.30am on Saturday morning.

The incident has prompted speculation online about any potential motive.

The Grand Burstin was used to house a group of around 130 asylum seekers in 2014 to ease overcrowding in a London hotel.

However, the decision was only temporary and the group was moved on after a matter of months.

Britannia Group, the company which runs the Grand Burstin, has reportedly accepted block-bookings for asylum seekers in at least 17 of its hotels.

A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group said: “We are fully co-operating with Kent Police and supporting their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

“We remain in close contact with all relevant authorities and will provide any assistance or information required as their inquiries continue. In the meantime, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members remains our priority.”

‘Amazing’ support for those affected

Around 90 people have been moved from a building called Pavilion Court next to the Grand Burstin following safety inspectors’ concerns that the intensity of the fire at the hotel weakened the building’s structure, Folkestone and Hythe District Council said.

Folkestone’s housing team is working to arrange alternative housing for affected residents while the hotel undergoes further assessments and any required works to make it safe.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council chief executive Susan Priest said on Saturday evening: “This has been an extremely difficult day, firstly for the hotel guests and this evening for our residents who have had to move out of their homes.

“The extent of support of organisations including Three Hills, Morrisons and the Salvation Army has been amazing and helped to ensure that visitors and residents were looked after, supported and had food and hot drinks.”