Residents living in the immediate vicinity of the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone have been forced to leave their homes following a fire at the property. Local officials and safety inspectors determined that the blaze may have weakened the hotel's structural framework, prompting concerns that the building could pose a risk to the surrounding area.

While the fire itself has been brought under control, the decision to evacuate nearby residents serves as a precautionary measure while engineers assess the extent of the damage. There have been no reports of injuries related to the evacuation process, and local authorities are currently coordinating with those displaced to provide temporary housing. The hotel, a prominent landmark in the seaside town, remains cordoned off as experts conduct a detailed survey of the site.

At this stage, the timeline for when residents will be permitted to return to their homes remains unclear. Officials have stated that the safety of the public is the primary priority, and the exclusion zone will remain in place until the building is declared stable. Local emergency services are continuing to monitor the site for any signs of further structural movement or secondary hazards. The incident has caused significant disruption to the local community, with traffic diversions in place around the waterfront area.