A man has been taken into custody on charges of murder following an incident in northern England where a house fire led to the tragic deaths of a mother and her three children. The event took place in Bradford, and authorities received reports of the fire just after 2 a.m. Investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally started and is suspected to be linked to a domestic issue, as per the police department’s statement.
The victims have been identified as Bryonie Gawith, aged 29, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and her three children, Denisty Birtle, 9, Oscar Birtle, 5, and Aubree Birtle, 22-months-old, who passed away in the hospital due to their injuries. The suspect, a 39-year-old male who sustained critical injuries, was apprehended at the residence and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Authorities expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life in the incident. Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson from West Yorkshire Police conveyed sympathies to the family, friends, and acquaintances of the deceased individuals. A neighbor named Lindsey Pearson recounted hearing distressing sounds emanating from the direction of the house earlier, with reports of shouting and screaming.
Pearson’s instinct initially led her to believe a care home nearby might be engulfed in flames, prompting her to head in that direction with her son-in-law. However, their path was obstructed by law enforcement personnel who informed them about the ongoing house fire situation. The neighbor shared feelings of helplessness at not being able to assist, highlighting the shock and sadness prevalent in the community following the tragic incident.
