A serving Gloucestershire police officer has been left devastated after a horrific Boxing Day fire claimed the lives of his entire family. The victims have been named as his wife, Fionnghuala Shearman, and their two young children.
A Desperate Rescue Attempt
Tom Shearman fought desperately to save his family as flames engulfed their Cotswold stone cottage in the early hours of December 26th. Despite his brave efforts, the intensity of the blaze prevented him from reaching his wife and children. Reports indicate he smashed a bathroom window and tried to access the property from outside before being forced back by the ferocious heat and smoke.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3:00 AM. The fire is believed to have started on the ground floor of the mid-terrace property before rapidly spreading through the building. The damage was catastrophic, with the roof collapsing and internal ceilings and stairs giving way. Photographs from the aftermath show the cottage was almost completely destroyed.
Family at the Heart of the Tragedy
The family at the centre of this unimaginable loss has been formally identified. Fionnghuala Shearman, 41, known affectionately to friends as 'Nu', died alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Eve, and four-year-old son, Ohner.
Fionnghuala was a well-known local business owner, running a company called Hide and Hammer which specialised in handmade bags. Originally from Cheltenham, she was described as a keen runner, often participating in events with her husband. Tom Shearman, her surviving husband, remains in hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident. Police colleagues have said he is in a "distraught way" following the loss.
Investigation and Community Support
Gloucestershire Police have confirmed that, at this stage, they are treating the fire as a tragic accident. Detectives and specialist fire investigators are working together to establish the exact cause of the blaze.
The Gloucestershire Police Federation is providing support to PC Shearman and his fellow officers during this profoundly difficult time. They have acknowledged the "unimaginable tragedy" and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of public condolences directed towards the grieving husband and father.
This heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, leaving many to mourn the loss of a vibrant young family in such sudden and tragic circumstances.
