An investigation revealed that a mother and her two children who perished in a fire on Boxing Day in Gloucestershire died from inhaling the fumes produced by the blaze. Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, also known as Nu, along with her kids, Eve, aged seven, and Ohner, aged four, lost their lives when a fire swept through their residence in Brimscombe, near Stroud.
During the inquest at Gloucestershire coroner’s court, it was disclosed that Tom Shearman, a police officer, made a courageous but unsuccessful attempt to rescue his family amidst the intense flames. Emergency services responded to the scene at the mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage on Brimscombe Hill around 3 am as the fire engulfed the property.
The senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Katy Skerrett, conducted separate inquests for Mrs. Shearman and her children. She narrated the tragic events of that night, stating that only Tom Shearman managed to escape the burning cottage, while the other three occupants were trapped inside due to the fire and smoke.
A forensic pathologist indicated that the cause of death for the Shearman family members was exposure to fire combustion products, pending further toxicology and microscopy analysis. Mrs. Shearman was identified by a tattoo on her body, while her children were identified through DNA testing.
The inquests were adjourned by the coroner without setting a future date. Authorities are investigating the fire, which is believed to have originated on the ground floor and is not considered suspicious. The blaze caused extensive damage to the property, including the roof, ceilings, and internal structures.
A fundraising initiative for the family has raised nearly £440,000. The brief hearing at which no family members were present lasted less than 10 minutes.