THE NEPHEW of Oxenhope man Clem Holmes, who died in caravan fire last week, has spoken of their closeness.

Mathew Holmes described Clem as a "lovely bloke" who, although preferring to live alone, was the life and soul of the party.

Keighley man Mathew spoke about his uncle after dozens of local people posted tributes to Clem on the Facebook page Oxenhope Online.

The “true Oxenhope legend” died in a fire at his long-time home in a caravan on Stone Lane, off Shaw Lane, in the early hours of last Tuesday

Although a cause of death has not yet been confirmed, police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mathew said he and fellow nephews Christopher Holmes and Paul Hopkins had been close to their uncle, who had never had children of his own.

He said: “Clem was a lovely bloke, happy-go-lucky. He kept himself to himself, but he was the life and soul of the party in the pub, and a lot of people went to see him in his caravan.”

Mathew said Clem spent his working life as a mechanical engineer, particularly specialising in cranes, and spent many years at Keighley firm John Feather before his retirement.

Clem, who was in his early 70s, was described by well-wishers on Oxenhope Online as a “very intelligent and accomplished” engineer.

Many people alluded to Clem’s generosity and sense of humour, habit of speaking to people in what he claimed was Russian, and the potent ‘moonshine’ he used to make.

Others fondly remembered him as a regular at the ‘Idiot Hut’ – the now demolished Oxenhope Social Club – and the village’s Bay Horse.

Mick Reddihough, whose late father was a friend of Clem, wrote on Oxenhope Online: “When l left school l served my apprenticeship as an engineer with Clem as my mentor.”

Jeff Moore said Clem was always cheerful and up for a laugh, “especially if it included alcohol. He was an icon and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

No date has been fixed yet for a funeral.