‘Electrical items sparked’ fire that killed mum and kids on Boxing Day

An inquest into a fatal house fire that occurred on Boxing Day last year has revealed that the blaze was likely sparked by electrical appliances. The fire tragically claimed the lives of Fionnghuala Mary Shearman, 38, known as Nu, and her two young children, seven-year-old Eve and four-year-old Ohner. The family home was located in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, where the fatal incident took place during the early hours of 26 December.

Tom Shearman, Fionnghuala’s partner and a serving police officer, managed to escape the fire but was prevented from re-entering the burning house despite multiple attempts to rescue his wife and children. According to Leroy Hughes of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was likely intensified by items such as soft furnishings and the family’s Christmas tree. The inquest, which took place at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court, heard that the fire probably originated in the living room and was caused by electrical equipment connected to the mains supply. Emergency responders were alerted at 03:12 GMT and found the house “well alight” upon arrival.

Mr. Shearman described to the court how he noticed an “unusual warmth and a smoky atmosphere” shortly after 3 a.m. when he got up to use the bathroom. Realizing the house was on fire, he tried desperately to wake his family but was unable to reach them despite “striking and kicking” a window from outside. When his rescue attempts failed, he broke into a neighboring home to assist the occupant in evacuating, aiming to “prevent the further loss of life.” The neighbor, named June, had spent Christmas morning having coffee and cake with the family prior to the fire.

Emergency services found Mr. Shearman outside in a “very distressed state,” suffering from “quite significant injuries.” The fire resulted in severe damage, including the destruction of the roof, ceilings, stairs, and major internal parts of the property. Senior coroner Katy Skerrett acknowledged Mr. Shearman’s “valiant” efforts to save his loved ones and accepted that the fire began in the living room, likely from an “electric ignition source.” The official cause of death for Fionnghuala and her children was “exposure to the combustion products of fire,” and their deaths were ruled accidental. The coroner described the event as an “absolute tragedy with the most horrific consequences possible for this loving young family.”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mr. Shearman expressed gratitude for the support he has received from family, friends, and the community, who provided him with housing, clothing, food, and compassion. In a heartfelt message shared on a GoFundMe tribute, he reflected on the devastating impact of the fire, stating: “My life, the lives of my loved ones, my friends and the whole community changed on Boxing Day. My family had its very core, its very essence, ripped from it in the most violent way. I cannot begin to describe the anguish and trauma of the events of Boxing Day 2025. I will heal.