A mother and her two young children have been identified as the victims of a devastating house fire that destroyed their Cotswold home in the early hours of Boxing Day.
A Desperate Attempt to Rescue the Family
Fashion designer Fionnghuala Shearman, known as Nu, died alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Eve, and four-year-old son, Ohner. The family's home, a mid-terrace cottage on Brimscombe Hill near Stroud, was engulfed by flames just after 3am on Friday, 26 December.
Her husband, Tom Shearman, a serving officer with Gloucestershire Police, was awoken by the fire and made repeated, desperate attempts to reach his wife and children. Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher explained that the couple had tried to get to the children's rear bedroom but were beaten back by the intensity of the blaze.
Mr Shearman smashed his way out through a bathroom window to try and access the bedroom from outside, but was unable to enter. He then tried to re-enter the house through the same window, only to find the bathroom now ablaze. He proceeded downstairs and attempted to force his way in through both the front and back doors, but the fire's severity prevented any entry.
Community Support and Ongoing Investigation
Mr Shearman was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. Emergency services arrived to find the property well alight, with the roof, ceilings, and stairs completely destroyed. Fire crews faced extremely challenging conditions as they worked to tackle the blaze and attempt a rescue.
Det Supt Fletcher stated the fire is believed to have started on the ground floor and is not being treated as suspicious. Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause. He described the incident as a "tragic accident" and spoke of the immense anguish experienced by the father.
The local community and the wider public have rallied in support. A GoFundMe campaign launched on Sunday, 28 December, has seen an overwhelming response. More than 5,000 donations have pushed the total past £125,000, leading organisers to increase the original £110,000 target to £190,000.
A Life and Business Cut Short
Fionnghuala Shearman was the creative force behind Hide & Hammer, a bespoke handbag manufacturer crafting leather and canvas accessories. The family were registered as living at the fire-damaged property.
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth called the event an "unimaginable tragedy" and expressed the force's heartbreak for their colleague. The Gloucestershire Police Federation also offered its full support, stating it was "impossible to properly comprehend" what had happened.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Nathaniel Hooton praised the efforts of his crews, who "tried their hardest" in the face of a well-developed and serious fire. The family's friends and the local community have been left shellshocked by the sudden loss during what should have been a festive period.
