An inquest will commence following the heartbreaking deaths of a mother 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 Eve, aged seven, and Ohner, aged four, tragically lost their lives along with the family dog, Hutch, during the early morning blaze. Emergency services arrived at the scene around 3 a.m., as Fionnghuala’s husband, police officer Tom Shearman, desperately attempted to rescue his family but was forced back by the intense flames.
Awakened by the fire, Mr. and Mrs. Shearman tried to reach their children’s bedroom at the rear of the house. Tom smashed a bathroom window in an effort to access the children’s room from outside but was unable to enter. The severity of the fire’s spread prevented him from re-entering the house through the bathroom window or forcing open the ground-floor doors.
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Investigations indicate that the fire likely originated on the ground floor, though its exact cause remains unknown. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as suspicious. The fire caused significant internal destruction, including the collapse of the roof, ceilings, and staircases.
The inquest into Fionnghuala Shearman’s death is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court.
The local community has been profoundly affected by this tragedy, and many have paid tribute to the “remarkable” mother and her children. 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 on the impact the tragedy has had: “It’s had a massive impact on the local community and has shown just how well loved they were. There’s been a huge outpouring of shock, grief, and sadness. Hundreds of people have attended services and drop-in sessions to honor their memory.”
Tom Shearman has been described by colleagues as “in a very distraught state,” grappling with the immense loss. The Gloucestershire Police Federation expressed their condolences, stating their “hearts are broken” for their colleague.
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth shared a message of support: “Our thoughts remain with Nu’s husband and Eve’s and Ohner’s dad, Tom, following this awful tragedy. He and his extended family continue to receive support from family liaison officers, and as his employer, we are committed to doing everything possible to help them through this difficult time.
“While extensive investigations at the scene have been completed, we continue to work closely with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service on behalf of the coroner as we prepare for the inquests, which we hope will provide clarity about what occurred.”