Mother and two children who died in Boxing Day fire are pictured - as hero father's attempt to save them revealed

The fire broke out at around 3am on Friday at the family home on Brimscombe Hill.

Mrs Shearman's husband Thomas, a serving Gloucestershire Constabulary officer, woke up to flames and escaped through a bathroom window.

He then made numerous desperate attempts to save his family.

PC Shearman first tried reaching his children through their bedroom window - but the heat proved too intense.

His attempt to re-enter via the bathroom window also failed due to the strength of the fire.

He then tried to force both the front and back doors open - but could not get in.

One neighbour said: "Tom tried with everything he's got to get back into the burning house and rescue his wife and two young children."

"But it was impossible. The house was like a raging inferno by this stage and there was no way he could have got in. If he had somehow managed to, he too would have lost his life in seconds," they told The Sun.

Several people had to hold him back as he stood in the street trying to reach his family.

"It was a horrific scene. There was smoke everywhere and the building was completely on fire," the neighbour added.

Five or six fire engines arrived within minutes, along with multiple ambulances and police vehicles.

"Everybody around here who knew them thought they were wonderful people. It is just so, so sad," the neighbour said.

Police confirmed on Monday that Mrs Shearman's body was recovered on Sunday.

One child's body has been found, but the second remains missing - and formal identification has not yet taken place.

Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher said: "We understand the fire started on the ground floor and worked its way to the top. The rear of the property is badly damaged. The roof has fallen in."

He confirmed the children were a seven-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy.

Det Supt Fletcher said: "We have multiple witnesses who describe the anguish that [PC Shearman] was going through, his inability to get in and save his children and save his wife."

"He is, as you can imagine, in a very distraught way. [He] sadly, lost his family at a time which is supposed to be a happy festive period."

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Fionnghuala, known as Nu, ran a bag company called Hide and Hammer.

Social media images show her celebrating a decade of marriage earlier this year.

During the summer, she built a den in the garden for Eve and Ohner to play in.

PC Shearman had previously appeared in the BBC programme Reported Missing, helping locate a man with dementia in the countryside.

The Gloucestershire Police Federation said: "This is an unimaginable tragedy to have struck a colleague and their family and our hearts are broken for them."

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Nathaniel Hooton said crews faced a well-developed, serious fire upon arrival.

The blaze caused significant internal damage, including collapsed floors, stairwells and roof.