Gloucestershire Police Officer's Family Perishes in Boxing Day House Fire

Tragedy Strikes Brimscombe on Boxing Day

A police officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary is mourning the loss of his wife and two young children following a devastating house fire in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, in the early hours of Boxing Day, December 26, 2025. The fire tragically claimed the lives of Fionnghuala Shearman, known as Nu, who was in her late 30s, and their children, Eve, aged seven, and Ohner, aged four. The family's dog, Hutch, also perished in the blaze.

Emergency services were called to the mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage on Brimscombe Hill at approximately 3:00 AM. Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher of Gloucestershire Police stated that the fire was 'well-established' upon the arrival of crews.

Heroic Rescue Attempt by Father

The children's father, PC Tom Shearman, a serving police officer, survived the inferno after making desperate attempts to rescue his family. According to Det Supt Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Shearman were woken by the fire and tried to reach their children in a back bedroom but were unable to due to the 'ferocity and the heat' of the flames.

Mr. Shearman then 'smashed his way out of the house through a bathroom window' to try and access the children's bedroom from the outside, but was 'beaten back by the flames'. He was later treated at a hospital for injuries but has since been discharged.

Investigation and Community Response

Gloucestershire Police are not treating the fire as suspicious, believing it to be a 'tragic accident'. Investigations into the cause are ongoing, but it is thought the fire originated on the ground floor. The intensity of the blaze caused significant damage, destroying the roof, ceilings, and stairs of the property.

In the wake of the tragedy, PC Shearman paid a poignant tribute to his family, describing them as 'three of the greatest humans to ever grace our presence'. His statement, shared by Gloucestershire Constabulary, expressed profound gratitude for the 'unbelievable, out of this world generosity' shown by the public.

A GoFundMe appeal launched to support Mr. Shearman has garnered immense community support, raising over £300,000. Flowers and messages of condolence initially placed at the scene have been moved to Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton at the family's request. Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth extended thanks to all emergency services and the public for their 'huge compassion and kindness'.