Three missing after ‘tragic’ early morning Boxing Day fire

Three people remain unaccounted for after a house fire in the early hours of Boxing Day, police have said.

Local MPs and councillors have described the house fire as a ‘tragedy’ for the local community.

Firefighters and other emergency services staff were called to a house on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, at around 3am.

One person was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment, while three people have not been accounted for.

Roads were closed while emergency services attended the scene, and people have been asked to avoid the area.

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: ‘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.

‘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.’

An investigation remains underway to establish the cause of the fire, the spokeswoman added.

Simon Opher, Labour MP for Stroud, described the fire as ‘a tragedy for the whole community’.

In a Facebook post, the MP said: ‘Today’s news from Brimscombe is awful.

‘Our hearts go out to those involved. We will do what we can to support the victims and their families. It is a tragedy for the whole community.

‘I have been in touch with the police to offer our support. While it is the role of the emergency services to deal with this sort of situation, it always affects those involved, and we thank them for their professionalism.’

‘Our thoughts are with you all.’

Councillor Chloe Turner, who represents Minchinhampton on Stroud District Council for the Green Party, has urged residents to contact the police if they have any information about the unaccounted individuals.

In a post on a local Facebook group, 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.

‘My thoughts are very much with everyone impacted by this tragic incident.’

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