
Hiccups helps save 20 people from Rhossili Worm's Head Hotel fire
Mr Matthews said he had been plagued by hiccups for three days and was "being driven mad", which kept him awake and scrolling on his phone. Although he did not see any smoke or hear any noise, he spotted the fire. After waking a "frightened" Mr Clayfield, Mr Matthews said they ran out immediately to try and call the fire service.The pair were "running around the carpark trying to find service" - they eventually got hold of them after three attempts. "Buildings can be rebuilt, you know, but human life is worth so much, so much more," Mr Matthews said."I'm sure the gravity will sink in soon enough. "I think we're staying pretty humble with it for now."
Mr Clayfield, who works alongside Mr Matthews at The View Cafe in Rhossili, said he doesn't see himself as a "hero" but rather someone who was "in the right place at the right time". He called Mr Matthews "the real hero" and added: "If he hadn't been awake, I don't want to know what could have happened."When they learned everyone had escaped without injury, the pair shared a moment they'll "remember forever". Mr Clayfield said: "I was so happy. "It was just pure relief. "We just hugged each other standing there."Although grateful there were no casualties, Mr Clayfield said he "can't imagine what the family of the Wormshead are going through at the minute" and wished them the "best of luck" as they work to rebuild.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Bikers ride in tribute convoy
More than 170 motorcyclists have paid tribute to two firefighters and a member of the public who died in a blaze at a business parkFirefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the fire that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 enthusiast Rob Polland organised the Ride to Remember from Cherwell Valley services to Bicester town said the ride in convoy aimed to "bring the community together". Mr Pollard said the ride came about after he put the idea out to fellow motorcyclists on social media."The comments and support has been amazing," he said. "A lot of people have been affected by the fire - people have got involved from all parts of the UK."He said the mass ride had been a "special and memorable" event. The fire at Bicester Motion was reported at about 18:30 BST on 15 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was tribute after the fire, the family of Mr Sadler, who previously worked for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and was also part of London Fire Brigade, said being a firefighter was "always in his blood", adding that he was "the true definition of a hero".The family of Ms Logan said her "bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end".Mr Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour".Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF was the base of RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.


Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Thirteen dead, dozens missing in Nigeria boat accident
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 27 (Reuters) - Thirteen people were confirmed dead with dozens more missing after a boat ferrying around 100 passengers capsized on Saturday in Niger state in north-central Nigeria as they headed to market, authorities said on Sunday. Twenty-six people, mostly women and children, were rescued from the wooden boat, said Yusuf Lemu, an official of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. Local official Isiyaku Akilu said the boat driver, who was among those rescued, could not confirm the number of passengers on the boat. "The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but from all indications, it appears to be due to overloading," said Akilu. Adamu Ahmad, a member of the boat drivers' union, confirmed that the boat was overloaded. He said it was a large wooden boat and efforts are being made to recover more bodies. Niger State is also home to Nigeria's three major hydroelectric dams, and boat accidents have become a frequent occurrence. Saturday's accident happened nine months after a boat carrying mostly women and children returning from a religious festival capsized and killed at least 60 people. Rescue efforts were momentarily paused on Sunday to allow the custodian of the river to perform rituals that would ensure a "hitch-free rescue mission", said Akilu.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Huge blaze breaks out at factory with 100 firefighters raced to scene & thick plumes of smoke billowing through sky
OVER 100 firefighters are tackling a massive blaze that has engulfed a factory in Birmingham. Witnesses reported spotting huge plumes of smoke billowing from the four factory units on Great Bridge Street in Great Bridge at around 10.40am today. West Midlands Fire Service sent 15 crews to the scene and members of the public have been told to avoid the area. There have been no reported casualties but 'several' homes were evacuated. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "We have 15 crews in attendance at Great Bridge Street, Great Bridge, where they have responded to a Factory Fire. "Please avoid the area, where possible."