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

A mother and her two children, a seven-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy, died in a house fire on Boxing Day at a property on Brimscombe Hill near Stroud, Gloucestershire. The incident occurred around 3am on December 26, 2025. Their father, a serving member of Gloucestershire Police, survived after smashing through a bathroom window to try to rescue them but was unable to re-enter the burning building. Emergency services, including Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the ambulance service, responded to the scene. Authorities confirmed the fire is not suspicious and described it as a "tragic accident." The father was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment. Significant damage was caused to the property, and investigations continue to determine the fire's origin.