In the early hours of Boxing Day, a tragic house fire in Stroud claimed the lives of a woman and her two young children. The family home on Brimscombe Hill was engulfed in flames around 3 a.m., leaving a serving Gloucestershire police officer devastated after losing his wife and children.
The fire broke out on the ground floor of the mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage. Awakened by the blaze, the officer and his wife tried desperately to reach their children, who were in a rear bedroom. Despite his efforts to access the room—breaking a bathroom window and attempting entry from outside—the intensity of the fire made rescue impossible.
Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher detailed the harrowing events, explaining how the officer’s repeated attempts to re-enter the property were thwarted by the rapidly spreading fire. The roof collapsed, and the ceilings and stairs gave way, making any rescue efforts futile. Emergency services arrived at the scene but were unable to save the family.
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The deceased include a woman in her late 30s and two children, aged four and seven. Police confirmed the fire is being treated as a tragic accident and not suspicious.
The surviving officer remains deeply distraught as he copes with the sudden loss. Detective Superintendent Fletcher expressed sympathy for the officer, his colleagues, and the community: “Our hearts and prayers go out to him during this unimaginable tragedy, particularly at what is meant to be a joyful time of year.”
Gloucestershire Police released a statement offering support to their colleague and the wider police family, acknowledging the profound difficulty in coming to terms with the loss. The force thanked those who have shared condolences and confirmed no further comments will be made at this time.
This heartbreaking incident has brought a community together in grief and solidarity, highlighting the courage and resilience of a police officer who faced the impossible in an attempt to save those he loved most.