Investigation ends at scene of fatal house fire

A community has been praised for showing "love and support" after emergency services completed their investigations at the scene of a fatal house fire.

Investigation work had been taking place at the home in Brimscombe Hill in Stroud, Gloucestershire, after seven-year-old Eve and four-year-old Ohner died alongside their mother Fionnghuala Shearman and the family's dog Hutch, on Boxing Day.

Their father Tom Shearman, who escaped the house, tried multiple-times to re-enter to save his family but was forced back by the ferocity of the flames.

Gloucestershire Police said the building is now secure and the cordon, in place since the fire - which is not being treated as suspicious - had been lifted.

"The scene has now been handed over to Stroud District Council," the force added.

It said while investigations had finished at the house, the coroner's office is continuing to investigate.

An inquest into the death of Ms Shearman, also known as Nu, is set to be formally opened at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court on 12 January, with the inquests for Eve and Ohner yet to be confirmed.

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said their thoughts "continue to be with" Mr Shearman, a serving officer with the force.

In a tribute, Mr Shearman said his family had had its "very core, its very essence, ripped from it in the most violent way".

Thanking those who responded to the "extremely challenging incident with great professionalism and compassion", Blyth said it was also "very humbling" to see the community's support.

"So many people, both within policing and in the community, have been deeply affected by this incident and it will no doubt take time for them to come to terms with it," she added.

A fundraiser set up to support Mr Shearman has so far reached more than £436,000.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, described the fire as a "heartbreaking incident" and praised those who had attended "under extremely challenging circumstances".

"We will continue to support the ongoing enquiries on behalf of the coroner and stand ready to assist the family and community in any way we can," he added.

Stroud District Council leader Chloe Turner said she was "proud" of how local people "had supported the family and one another".

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