Mystery surrounds a fire that tore through a hotel’s store room.

Firefighters evacuated 15 residents from the building when the blaze broke out on Sunday night in the store room of the Windsor Hotel in Langhorne Gardens, Folkestone.

The fire, which destroyed 30 per cent of the room and left the ground floor smoke damaged, is being investigated by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and the police.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

Following an emergency call at 9.10pm crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze by 9.40pm.

Firefighters remained at the scene to identify and damp down hotspots.

A spokesman for KFRS said Red Cross services weren’t needed following the incident.

Working in conjunction with the fire service, the charity provides temporary accommodation for those displaced in a fire.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “The fire was in the store room on the ground at the rear of the property.

“Thirty per cent of the store room was destroyed and the ground floor was smoke logged.

“A total of 15 residents and staff were evacuated from the building. We sent four appliances. Crews wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets.

“The fire was recorded as deliberate and has been passed to police for investigation.”

A police spokesman added: “Kent Police was called at 9.20pm on Sunday 9 July 2017 to a report of a fire at a hotel in Langhorne Gardens, Folkestone.

“Officers attended the scene where no casualties were reported.

“The cause of the fire is currently unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.”