A mother and her two young children who died in a house fire on Boxing Day last year were killed accidentally, an inquest has concluded. Fionnghuala Mary Shearman, 38, known as Nu, her seven-year-old daughter Eve and her four-year-old son Ohner died at their home in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, in the early hours of 26 December 2025. The family dog, Hutch, also died in the blaze.

The inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court heard on Monday that the fire most likely started in the living room, caused by electrical items connected to the mains power supply. Senior coroner Katy Skerrett recorded conclusions of accidental death for all three, giving the cause of death as exposure to the combustion products of fire.

How the fire started

Leroy Hughes, station manager for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, told the inquest that an investigation led him to believe the fire had started in the living room before spreading through the house, likely originating from electrical devices connected to the domestic power supply. The coroner said she accepted that the fire had likely started in the living room and that it was probable it had started from an electric ignition source.

Mr Hughes said soft furnishings and the Christmas tree would likely have fuelled the flames and made the fire spread faster. The first emergency call was received at 3.12am, and the house was already well alight when crews arrived. The fire destroyed the roof, the ceilings and the stairs, as well as causing other significant internal damage. The inquest heard there was no evidence of third-party involvement or any suspicious circumstances.

A father’s desperate rescue attempts

Mr Shearman’s partner, Tom Shearman, a serving officer with Gloucestershire Police, escaped the house and tried repeatedly to get back inside to save his wife and children, but was beaten back by the severity of the blaze.

Detective Inspector Louise Missen, of Gloucestershire Police, told the inquest that Mr Shearman was alerted to the fire when he went to use the bathroom in the early hours and became aware of an unusual warmth and a smoky atmosphere. “He realised the house was on fire and shouted at Mrs Shearman to wake up and get the children,” she said.

The inquest heard that Mr Shearman tried to reach the children in their bedroom by striking and kicking a window from outside the house but could not gain access. He also failed to get back in through the bathroom window and could not force open the ground-floor doors. When those efforts failed, he broke into a neighbouring property to alert its occupant, June, to the fire and help her leave. June had spent Christmas morning with the family and had coffee and cake with them before the tragedy.

When emergency services arrived, Mr Shearman was found outside the property in a very distressed state, having sustained quite significant injuries. He was taken to hospital and later discharged.

Coroner pays tribute

During the hearing, senior coroner Katy Skerrett paid tribute to Mr Shearman’s valiant attempts to save his family. She described the deaths as an absolute tragedy with the most horrific consequences possible for this loving young family.

Mr Shearman has previously spoken of the loss, saying: “My life, the lives of my loved ones, my friends and the whole community changed on Boxing Day. Most importantly, and tragically, three of the greatest humans to ever grace our presence were taken from not just me, but all of us.”

Read the full inquest report from Great Yorkshire Radio and The Sun.