A mother and her two children who were killed during a blaze at their home on Boxing Day died from 'exposure to the combustion products of fire', an inquest has heard. Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, known as Nu, and her children, Eve, seven, and four-year-old Ohner, were killed when the fire destroyed their home in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. Police officer Tom Shearman attempted to rescue his family but was forced back by the severity of the flames. 'It was established that only one of the four occupants had managed to escape the cottage alive, Tom Shearman. No members of the Shearman family attended the brief hearing, which lasted fewer than 10 minutes.

Source: Daily Mail January 12, 2026 14:43 UTC