A Gloucestershire father has been left with "nothing" after a horrific Boxing Day house fire claimed the lives of his wife and their two young children.
A Desperate Rescue Attempt
Police officer Tom Shearman was woken by the blaze at the family's mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage near Stroud at approximately 3am on December 26. He and his wife, Fionnghuala, immediately tried to reach their children, seven-year-old Eve and four-year-old Ohner, who were in a rear bedroom.
Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher of Gloucestershire Constabulary stated that the couple were unable to reach the bedroom due to the "voracity of the fire." In a desperate bid, Tom Shearman smashed a bathroom window to try and access the children's bedroom from outside, but was unsuccessful.
He then attempted to re-enter the property through the bathroom and via the front and back doors, but the fire had taken hold, blocking all routes. Emergency services arrived shortly after and began tackling the intense blaze.
Community Rallies Around Grieving Father
The fire, which is believed to have started downstairs, caused the roof, ceilings, and stairs of the cottage to collapse. The body of a woman, believed to be Mrs Shearman, was recovered from the building. The body of a child was located but remains in situ as investigations continue.
Friends of the family have described the tragedy as "absolutely shocking" and say the community is "shellshocked." A close friend, Victoria Armstrong, has set up a GoFundMe page to support the grieving father.
"Tom is now facing an unimaginable period of grief alongside the very real and immediate practical reality of having nothing left," Armstrong said. The fund aims to help with emergency accommodation, clothing, essentials, and time away from work, allowing Tom to focus on grieving without financial pressure.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities confirmed the cause of the fire is under investigation but is not being treated as suspicious. Fionnghuala Shearman was the founder of bespoke handbag manufacturer Hide & Hammer, creating fashion accessories from leather and canvas.
The tragedy has devastated the local community in Gloucestershire, leaving a father to confront an unthinkable loss. The fundraiser stands as a testament to the community's effort to provide practical support in the face of profound sorrow.
