UK

More arrests made after mother and her three children killed in house fire

3 months ago
More arrests made after mother and her three children killed in house fire

Police have made two more arrests after a house fire in Bradford killed a mother and her three children earlier this week.

Bryonie Gawith, also known as B, and her three children – Denisty, 9, Oscar, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle – died in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a fire broke out on Westbury Road.

Two men, aged 36 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of murder overnight during raids in the Keighley area of the city and remain in police custody.

A 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on Wednesday on suspicion of murder remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Previously West Yorkshire Police confirmed the 39-year-old is “the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family”.

Image:
Denisty Birtle (right) and Oscar Birtle

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In a statement issued via the force, the victims’ family said the loss of “our B” and the children, referred to as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry”, had brought “unimaginable sadness and grief”.

“We are still trying to comprehend what has happened to our beautiful family. No words can describe how we are feeling and no words could ever make up for the profound loss we are now faced with,” the statement said.

The children’s father, Jonathan, said he was “absolutely distraught” after the “sudden loss”.

The family statement added that “our thoughts and support” are also with “the father of our three babies”. “Please allow him peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of his family,” it said.

Emergency services in Westbury Road, Bradford, following a house fire where four people, including three children, died. Two girls aged nine and one, and a five-year-old boy, were taken to hospital but all died from their injuries, while a 29-year-old woman also died at the scene. Police believe the fire was started deliberately and the incident was domestic-related. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Picture date: Wednesday August 21, 2024.
Image:
Police at the scene in Bradford. Pic: PA

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of the force’s homicide and major enquiry team said in a statement on Saturday: “Extensive enquiries remain ongoing today in what is very much a live and active investigation.

“Specialist officers are continuing to support the family. They are understandably devastated at their loss, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.

“We are continuing to appeal for any information in relation to the fire, and keen to speak to anyone who might have any information to come forward.”