Fire forces evacuation of student flats near former Canterbury cinema

Editor

February 15, 2026
3 min read

Fire forces evacuation of student flats near former Canterbury cinema

Fire crews were called at 2pm on Saturday after a blaze broke out at a derelict former Odeon cinema in St George’s Place, with the Canterbury fire leading to the evacuation of nearby student accommodation and businesses as smoke drifted across the city centre.

More than 60 firefighters were deployed at the height of the Canterbury fire to tackle the flames at the building just off the ring road. Crews remained at the scene into Sunday morning, continuing a reduced operation to ensure the area was safe.

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Students living in adjacent accommodation blocks were asked to leave as a precaution, along with staff from several nearby businesses. Canterbury City Council coordinated the evacuation and established a welfare centre for those affected.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said light smoke remained in the area on Sunday and advised local residents to keep windows and doors closed.

Road closures were put in place around the scene, with motorists warned to expect delays when travelling through the city centre.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

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[Image Credit | Kent Online]

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Editor

Emma’s journey to launching EyeOnLondon began with her move into London’s literary scene, thanks to her background in the Humanities, Communications and Media. After mingling with the city's creative elite, she moved on to editing and consultancy roles, eventually earning the title of Freeman of the City of London. Not one to settle, Emma launched EyeOnLondon in 2021 and is now leading its stylish leap into the digital world.