Alexandra BassinghamWest of England
FacebookA man whose wife and two children died in a Boxing Day fire has paid tribute to his “wonderful family”.
Tom Shearman escaped the fire after it engulfed their home on Brimscombe Hill in Stroud, Gloucestershire, killing seven-year-old Eve, four-year-old Ohner, and their mother, Fionnghuala Shearman, known as Nu.
“I cannot begin to describe the anguish and trauma of the events of Boxing Day 2025,” he said in a tribute released by Gloucestershire Constabulary.
“My family had its very core, its very essence, ripped from it in the most violent way.”
Mr Shearman, a serving police officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary, escaped the burning house and tried multiple times to re-enter to save his family.
He said in the tribute: “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.”
PAMr Shearman continued: “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.”
The mother and father were woken by the fire and Mr Shearman smashed his way out through the bathroom window to try and reach their children in the back bedroom.
But he was unable to because of the “ferocity and heat” of the blaze, Det Supt Ian Fletcher said.
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 bodies of the mother, two children and the family dog, Hutch, have all been recovered from the property.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations has been raised to support Mr Shearman in the wake of the tragedy.
The police officer said he was “humbled beyond comprehension” by the generosity and had started a plan to “make sure my unbelievably talented, empathetic, compassionate and beautiful wife’s legacy of craft, design and making lives on”.
He said he wanted to ensure “that my bright spark Eve’s legacy of enjoyment from books and writing be carried on” as well as his “incredible son’s sheer compassion and desire to help people”.
“I thank each and every one of you for your donations. I shall forever be in your debt and you will now forever be in my thoughts and prayers, hopefully I can repay in some way,” he said.
He urged people to take “every opportunity to hug your loved ones and tell them you love them”.
“Because, as [Brazilian author] Paulo Coelho said, one day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you want. Do it now,” he said.
“My heartfelt thanks to the emergency services whom tried everything to save my wonderful family. I hope they are all being looked after by their colleagues and friends. Boxing Day was horrific for all involved.
“Now go light up the darkest corners and the black sky.
“In memory of Nu. Eve. Ohner. Hutch.”
