Mother and two children killed in Boxing Day house fire in Stroud

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A devastating fire on Boxing Day claimed the lives of a mother and her two young children after their home was engulfed in flames. The incident occurred in the early hours at a residence on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud in Gloucestershire. Emergency responders were alerted to what was described as a “well-established” blaze at around 03:00 GMT.

The family affected included a man who serves as a police officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary. He managed to escape the fire and was subsequently treated at a hospital. Tragically, his wife, who was in her 40s, along with their seven-year-old daughter and four-year-old son, were trapped inside the burning property. The mother’s body was recovered on Sunday, although formal identification has not yet been completed.

Police confirmed that one child’s body has been located but remains inside the unstable building, hindering recovery efforts. The fire investigation revealed that the flames originated on the ground floor, and authorities currently see no evidence suggesting foul play. Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher characterized the event as a “tragic incident,” highlighting the challenges faced by the emergency teams managing the scene.

During a press briefing, Detective Inspector Fletcher provided insight into the father’s efforts to rescue his children. The parents were awakened by the fire and tried to access the children’s bedroom at the back of the house. The father escaped through a bathroom window and attempted to reach his children via their bedroom window but was thwarted by the intense heat and ferocity of the fire. Despite attempts to re-enter through multiple points in the house, the rapidly advancing blaze prevented further access. Fletcher expressed that the father is collaborating closely with police to clarify the circumstances and emphasized the family’s request for privacy as they grieve this heartbreaking loss

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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