Two children and their mother have been killed in a Boxing Day house fire – as their police officer father remains in hospital after escaping the blaze.
Emergency services were called to the ‘well-established’ fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, at about 3am on December 26.
The father managed to flee the house, his seven-year-old daughter, a four-year-old boy and their mother – who is in her forties – were trapped inside.
The body of the mother and one of her children were recovered on Sunday but formal identification is yet to take place.
In an update today, Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that the father is a serving police officer.
The force said it was working to recover the body of the second child but the unstable nature of the property meant this would take time.
They added that the blaze began on the ground floor and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding its cause.
Emergency services were called to the ‘well-established’ fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, at about 3am on December 26
The burnt roof timbers of the house near Stroud
A spokeswoman added: ‘An investigation has been launched alongside Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the fire.
‘A cordon remains in place at the address and an emergency services presence is expected to continue for several days.’
Chloe Turner, who represents Minchinhampton on Stroud District Council for the Green Party, said: ‘If anyone in the community has information that may assist in the investigation, or needs any support as a result of the incident, please call 101 or let the on-site police know, and they will direct you to the appropriate agency.
‘The emergency services and councils are working closely together, but if you have any problems, please let me know.
‘My thoughts are very much with everyone impacted by this tragic incident.’
