A man arrested on suspicion of murder following a house fire that claimed the lives of a mother and her three children in Bradford has been identified as the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family at the time of the tragedy, police have confirmed.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Wednesday morning, tragically took the lives of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children, Denisty Birtle, 9, Oscar Birtle, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle. West Yorkshire Police have indicated that the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately and that it was “domestic-related.
The 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene of the fire on suspicion of murder and remains in critical condition in the hospital. Police addressed online speculation, confirming that the suspect is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family at the time.
Uniformed officers had previously visited the address last month on an unrelated matter, the police added, but no referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Specialist officers are currently providing support to the devastated family, including Bryonie’s partner, Jonathan, who has released a heartfelt statement.
Jonathan expressed his profound grief, saying, “I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancée, Bryonie, and our three beautiful children. Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together. She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree, and Denisty. I loved them with all my heart, and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat.
The family of Ms. Gawith, also known as “B,” described her as the “life and soul of the party,” with a love for music, singing, and dancing, which she often enjoyed with her children, whom she affectionately called Chuch, Oggy, and Strawberry. In a statement released through the police, the family shared their heartbreak: “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 family also expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received but asked for privacy as they navigate the unimaginable grief of losing their loved ones. Please allow us peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of our family,” the statement read.
The community in Bradford has been left in shock by the tragedy, with many paying tribute at the scene of the fire and offering condolences to the grieving family.
The investigation into the fire and the circumstances leading up to it continues, with West Yorkshire Police urging anyone with information to come forward.
