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Stroud Boxing Day Fire: Fundraiser Tops £300,000 as Police Continue Non-Suspicious Cause Probe

The surviving father, a Gloucestershire officer, has left hospital after crews recovered his wife, both children and the family dog.

Overview

  • Gloucestershire Police say the investigation points to a likely ground-floor origin and the blaze is not being treated as suspicious.
  • Interim Chief Constable Maggie Blyth confirmed the recovery of both children and the family dog, following the earlier recovery of the mother.
  • Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher said the father escaped through a bathroom window and made repeated attempts to re-enter but was driven back by the fire.
  • Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue reported a well-developed blaze with collapsed floors, stairwell and roof, and crews prevented spread to neighbouring homes.
  • A community GoFundMe for the officer, named locally as Tom Shearman, surpassed £300,000 to help with immediate needs as authorities manage the unstable site and appeal for information.