A police officer who lost his wife and two children in a house fire on Boxing Day has paid tribute to his family as 'three of the greatest humans to ever grace our presence'.

Fionnghuala Shearman, known to friends as Nu, perished alongside daughter Eve, seven, and son Ohner, four, as flames swept through their home on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud. 

The 38-year-old's husband of around ten years, Tom, is a serving Gloucestershire police officer and escaped the inferno. 

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Mr Shearman's family has already passed £340,000. 

In a tribute released today through Gloucestershire Police, he said: 'I have stared at my keypad for what seems like an eternity waiting for the words to appear. 

'I have no way to thank any of you for the unbelievable out of this world generosity that you have shown to me in the darkest of hours.

'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.'

Fionnghuala Shearman, known to friends as Nu, perished alongside daughter Eve, seven, and son Ohner, four, in the fire on Boxing Day 

A family photo of Mrs Shearman with her two children 

Emergency services were called to the 'well-established' fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, at about 3am on December 26

Emergency services were called to the 'well-established' fire at the home at about 3am last Friday.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said Mr Shearman attempted to rescue his wife and two children but was beaten back by the severity of the flames.

He smashed a bathroom window to try to access his children's room from outside but was unable to do so. The family's dog was also killed in the fire. 

Police believe the fire started on the ground floor and investigations are ongoing to establish the cause, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

The fire destroyed the roof, the ceilings and stairs, as well as causing other significant internal damage.

Mr Shearman's tribute continued: 'I cannot begin to describe the anguish and trauma of the events of Boxing Day 2025. 

'My family had its very core, its very essence, ripped from it in the most violent way.

'While nothing can ever undo what has happened, nor can it ever make sense of the suffering, I am genuinely humbled beyond comprehension at what this page has and is doing.

'My family and friends have rallied around and provided me with more than the bare essentials. I have a roof (and many offers) over my head, clothes on my back, food - most importantly company and compassion. I will heal.