Fire crews back at burnt hotel after smoke report

News imagePA Media The exterior of a fire-damaged building is heavily blackened by smoke, with dark scorch marks extending up walls and around window openings. Construction equipment and containers are positioned in front of the damaged section.PA Media
Firefighters received "reports of smoke" at the Grand Burstin Hotel, four days after a large fire

Firefighters have returned to a seaside hotel after reports of smoke from an area affected by a previous fire.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines to the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone at about 08:30 BST and said it was "assessing the area".

"It's believed the smoke has been caused by smouldering laundry," the fire service said.

The call came four days after a large fire broke out at the hotel on Marine Parade in the early hours of Saturday, with 280 people evacuated from the building.

Two fire engines have been kept at the scene on Wednesday morning.

Fire crews said they were using "a firefighting robot" to extinguish the hotspots "due to concerns regarding the structure of the building".

Residents of the Pavilion Court flats, which neighbour the Grand Burstin Hotel, were also evacuated after the initial fire at the weekend.

They have been unable to return to their homes while structural investigations of the burnt hotel take place.

Kent Police later arrested a 38-year-old man and 21-year-old woman on suspicion of arson.

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
In total, 26 fire engines were sent to the hotel in the early hours of Saturday

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