FAMILY members have paid tribute to "loving and caring" Sam Podmore.
The 34-year-old died from severe injuries sustained in a gas explosion at her flat in Tewkesbury High Street on Wednesday.
Devastated family members and friends have been left to reflect on their memories of the keen charity fundraiser, who was born and raised in Cheltenham.
In a tribute, her immediate family said they were proud that she had been a "loving and caring charity fundraiser".
In their statement, they added: "She attended Berkhampstead School and progressed to Pate's Grammar School where she was a high academic achiever.
"There, she made a considerable circle of close friends, many of whom became regular visitors at the family home in Cheltenham and who remember her now with love and fondness.
"As a young woman, she worked in the field of accountancy and loved music and partying with her friends. More recently, Sam nursed her father until he passed away last year and became the chair of the newly-formed Tewkesbury branch of the Marie Curie cancer charity, happily dressing in yellow and dancing in Tewkesbury High Street to encourage donations.
"Sam was a much-loved daughter, sister and partner who had a fun, bubbly and very caring nature.
"She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her."
Sam died in Bristol's Frenchay Hospital in the early hours of Thursday, having been flown there by air ambulance.
She is survived by her mother Kate, sister Tracy and long-time partner Jason.
Her family said she had only moved to Tewkesbury last year but had quickly become fond of the place.
"She loved her adopted town and her old, creaky flat in the town centre," they said.
The funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
The circumstances surrounding Sam's death are not yet clear.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said after the incident that initial reports it received indicated there had been a small explosion involving the gas cooker in the flat but added that this was under investigation.
They revealed that the cooker had been removed by the Tewkesbury firefighters who attended the scene.
A spokesman for the Avon coroner's office said an inquest into Sam's death was likely to be opened midway through this week.
Gloucestershire police are not treating it as suspicious.
They said that, due to the flat being rented, the Health and Safety Executive had been informed.
OPINION, P8
