Three people missing after Boxing Day house fire near Stroud

Roads on Brimscombe Hill are closed while emergency services are at the scene. Photograph: Stephen Barnes/Emergency Services/Alamy

Three people are missing after a house fire in the early hours of the morning on Boxing Day, police have said.

Emergency services were called to a report of a fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire at about 3am on 26 December.

One person who was able to escape the property was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Three people, believed to have been inside the property, remain unaccounted for.

A Gloucestershire police spokesperson 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.”

Roads on Brimscombe Hill are closed while emergency services are at the scene and members of the public have been asked to avoid the area.

An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire, the spokesperson said.

Chloe Turner, who represents Minchinhampton on Stroud district council for the Green party, 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.”