Fundraising appeal for police officer who lost family in fire nears £200,000

Tom Shearman attempted to rescue his family but was beaten back by the severity of the fire that destroyed his home in Brimscombe, near Stroud in Gloucestershire

Emergency services at the scene in Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud after a house fire. Picture: Ben Birchall/PA

A fundraising appeal for a police officer who lost his wife and two children in a St Stephen's Day house fire has reached nearly £200,000 (€229,000).

Tom Shearman attempted to rescue his family but was beaten back by the severity of the fire that destroyed his home in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.