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Boxing Day Fire: Mother, Two Children Perish
9 Nov
Summary
- A Boxing Day house fire claimed three lives in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire.
- Electrical appliances are suspected to be the cause of the fatal blaze.
- A serving police officer bravely attempted to rescue his family.
A devastating house fire on Boxing Day last year claimed the lives of Fionnghuala Mary Shearman, 38, her seven-year-old daughter Eve, and four-year-old son Ohner. The tragedy occurred at their home in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, in the early hours of December 26th.
An inquest heard that the fire is believed to have started in the living room due to electrical appliances connected to the mains. The blaze, likely fueled by items including soft furnishings and a Christmas tree, rapidly engulfed the property. Emergency services were alerted shortly after 3:00 AM GMT.
Tom Shearman, the partner of Fionnghuala and father to the children, survived the fire. He attempted multiple times to re-enter the burning home to save his family but was overcome by the intensity of the flames. He also assisted a neighbour in vacating their property.
Senior coroner Katy Skerrett concluded the deaths were accidental, describing the incident as an 'absolute tragedy with the most horrific consequences possible'. The family members died from exposure to combustion products, with Fionnghuala identified by a tattoo and her children by DNA.
