A mother and her two young children have died following a horrific house fire in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Boxing Day.
A Desperate Attempt to Rescue
Emergency services were called to a property on Brimscombe Hill near Stroud at around 3am on Friday 26 December. The blaze broke out on the ground floor and rapidly spread through the home.
Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher explained that both parents were awoken by the fire and tried to reach their children, who were sleeping. The father, a serving officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary, managed to escape through a bathroom window.
In a desperate bid to save his family, he then attempted to climb back into the house through the children's bedroom window. Det Supt Fletcher stated the "ferocity and heat" of the flames made this impossible.
Community in Mourning
The father was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment. Tragically, his wife, who was in her 40s, and their two children—a seven-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy—were trapped inside.
Police confirmed that the bodies of the mother and one child were recovered on Sunday. Due to the unstable condition of the fire-damaged property, teams are proceeding with caution to recover the second child's body. Formal identification is yet to take place.
Gloucestershire Police have said the fire's start is not believed to be suspicious. The coroner has been informed.
Heartbreak for the Whole Community
Stroud MP Simon Opher described the incident as a "tragedy for the whole community". He said his heart went out to those involved and pledged to support the victims and their families.
"I have been in touch with the police to offer our support," Mr Opher said. "While it is the role of the emergency services to deal with this sort of situation, it always affects those involved, and we thank them for their professionalism. Our thoughts are with you all."
The local community is now coming to terms with the devastating loss, as investigations into the exact cause of the fire continue.
