An inquest is scheduled to commence following the tragic deaths of a woman and her two children in a devastating house fire on Boxing Day in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire.
Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, affectionately known as Nu, and her children, seven-year-old Eve and four-year-old Ohner, all perished alongside the family dog, Hutch, in the early morning blaze. Emergency services responded around 3 a.m. as Tom Shearman, a police officer and Nu’s husband, desperately attempted to rescue his family but was thwarted by the intense flames.
Awakened by the fire, Mr. and Mrs. Shearman tried to reach the children’s bedroom at the rear of the house. Mr. Shearman broke a bathroom window in a bid to access the room from outside but was unable to enter. He also could not re-enter the property through the window or force open the ground-floor doors because of the fire’s severity.
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Police investigations indicate the fire originated on the ground floor, though its cause remains undetermined and is not currently treated as suspicious.
Significant damage was caused by the blaze, destroying the roof, ceilings, and staircase inside the house. The inquest into Mrs. Shearman’s death will begin at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Monday, January 12.
The local community has been deeply affected by the tragedy, remembering the family with heartfelt tributes. The headteacher of Minchinhampton Church of England Primary Academy, where Eve and Ohner were pupils, described them as “two very special children.”
Howard Gilbert, rector of Holy Trinity Church, remarked: “This has had a profound impact on the local community, highlighting how deeply loved the family was. The outpouring of grief, shock, and sadness has been immense. We have held services and drop-in sessions, with hundreds attending to pay their respects.”
Colleagues have spoken of Tom Shearman’s emotional state, describing him as profoundly distraught. Gloucestershire Police Federation expressed their condolences, saying their “hearts are broken” for their colleague.
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth stated: “Our thoughts remain with Tom, Nu’s husband, and the family following this heartbreaking tragedy. Tom and his family continue to receive support from family liaison officers, and as his employer, we are dedicated to providing all necessary assistance.
“While extensive investigations at the scene have concluded, we continue to work with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service on behalf of the coroner to prepare for the inquests, which aim to provide clarity on what happened.”