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Woman still hoping to find pendant lost in fire

Patrick BarlowSouth East
News imageLeona McMullen A blonde woman, right, stood next to her husband, left. They are stood in a room which is lit purple.Leona McMullen
Leona McMullen says a sentimental pendant was not among the belongings returned to her

A woman who was evacuated from a seafront hotel after a fire broke out says getting a sentimental pendant back would "mean the world" to her.

Leona McMullen, 37, was celebrating her 10th anniversary with her husband at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, in the early hours of 19 September when it was evacuated.

After arranging to pick up her belongings on Wednesday, McMullen, from Dartford, said her heart sank when she realised a gold chain and doll pendant in memory of her grandmother were not among her possessions.

She said: "I just want to know that it is still in the hotel, or if not, then know where it is. It would mean the world to get them back, I would have no words."

News imageLeona McMullen A gold chain with a doll pendant hanging from the end of it.Leona McMullen
Leona McMullen's pendant is in memory of her grandmother

McMullen, who usually only took the necklace off to sleep, said she had to chase the owner Britannia Hotels Group for more information about where it could be.

A spokesperson for the company previously said it had "begun the process of reuniting our guests with their belongings" and identifying vehicles affected by the fire.

"Due to the damage incurred inside the hotel, guests are being contacted with details of how to arrange collection and we have security measures in place to ensure this process is carried out safely and securely," it added.

The hotel group was contacted for a comment about cases of items not being returned.

News imageDave Hennessy A night-time view of a residential street shows a large plume of orange-lit smoke. Streetlights illuminate the scene and the smoke is spreading, partially obscuring buildings and trees. Several cars are parked along the road and in a nearby parking area, while the upper floors and rows of windows of surrounding buildings can be seen through the haze.Dave Hennessy
The Grand Burstin Hotel caught fire on 19 September

About 280 guests were forced to leave the Grand Burstin Hotel because of the fire, while about 90 residents were evacuated from homes nearby.

Britannia said it hoped to rebuild parts of the building and was "continuing to assess the full extent of the damage".

Kent Police said a 38-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of arson after the fire and were released while investigations continued.

"Our investigators and forensic teams continue to work with outside fire examiners to collate and review material to understand the cause of the fire", a spokesperson said.

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