Stroud fire: Three people missing after huge inferno rips through house on Boxing Day

Gloucestershire Police, fire service personnel and paramedics all attended the incident.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police stated: “Officers attended the scene along with crews from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the ambulance service.

“One person, who was able to get out of the property, was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to be treated."

The search for those missing from the property continues as investigators work to determine what sparked the fire.

One occupant managed to escape the burning property and was subsequently transported to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for medical attention.

Confirming three people remain missing, a spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said: "Three other people, who were believed to have been inside the property, have not yet been accounted for and efforts to locate them are ongoing."

Brimscombe Hill remains closed to traffic whilst emergency services continue their operations, with motorists and pedestrians urged to steer clear of the vicinity.

Authorities have launched an inquiry to establish what caused the fire to break out at the property during the early hours of this morning.

Gloucestershire Police added: "Road closures are currently in place on Brimscombe Hill while emergency services remain at the scene and people are being asked to avoid the area.

"An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire."

Local councillor Chloe Turner has now urged local residents to avoid the area as emergency services continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.

"Unless you are directly involved, a request to please avoid the area entirely, so that the emergency crews can continue their work unimpeded," she 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."

She added: "My thoughts are very much with everyone impacted by this tragic incident."

The Stroud inferno erupted just hours after Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue was called to respond to a series of fires in Exmoor.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue deployed crews from eight stations across both counties to tackle the incidents, which disrupted Christmas celebrations for emergency responders.

The fires broke out on the common's heathland, requiring firefighters to battle flames throughout the afternoon and well into the evening hours on December 25.

The crews worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze, finishing in the early hours of Boxing Day.

The DSFR spokesman said: “This is believed to be deliberate ignition.”

"DSFRS spent most of Christmas Day dealing with a large heathland fire near West Anstey, Exmoor," the spokesman added.

"A crew from Dulverton was mobilised to smoke seen coming from the ridge of West Anstey Common.

"Upon arrival, the crew confirmed a 60 metre fire front and requested a second pump.

"Over time, this was then escalated to six pumps and a water carrier, as well as a number of specialist officers and two ATVs.

"The fire is now believed to have been extinguished and crews have left the scene."