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Chef's hiccups help save 20 people from hotel fire

Eleri Griffiths
BBC News
Joe Clayfield Wide image of the Worm's Head Hotel on fire at night. There are orange flames and fire coming out of the building. A fire engine can be seen parked on the left of the image. A woman is standing looking at the fire from a distance. A fireman is in full kit walking near the building. Joe Clayfield
The Worm's Head Hotel, overlooking the Gower Peninsula in Rhossili, was badly damaged in the early hours on Monday

A man woken by hiccups in the night described it as a "surreal" experience to help save 20 guests from a major fire at a landmark hotel.

Chef Morgan Matthews spotted the flames, woke his colleague Joe Clayfield, and the pair ran through the car park in their underwear, desperately searching for phone signal to call the fire service.

The Worm's Head Hotel, overlooking the Gower Peninsula in Rhossili, was badly damaged in the early hours on Monday.

Both men said they were "just so happy" that everyone escaped safely and proud of the community's support.

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.

Megan Eames Picture of Morgan and Joe standing next to each other smiling whilst looking at the camera. Both are wearing their black chef uniform. They are stood inside The View Cafe with a view of Rhossili in the background. Morgan has brown hair in a low bun and Joe has short brown hair. Megan Eames
Chefs Morgan Matthews (left) and Joe Clayfield woke in the middle of the night, saw the fire and rang 999

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 more," Mr Matthews told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I'm sure the gravity will sink in soon enough.

"I think we're staying pretty humble with it for now."

Athena A wide image of the damage the fire has caused to The Worm's Head Hotel. The roof of the hotel has completely collapsed. Behind the hotel is a choppy sea and in front of it is a large empty car park. The picture has been taken on a cloudy day. Athena
The cause of the fire has not yet been identified, the fire service has said

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.