Bradford house fire – latest: Westbury Road murder probe begins as mother and her three children identified
Three children and a woman were killed in a suspected arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, died at the house in Bradford, and her children, Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, died later in hospital.
West Yorkshire Police arrested a 39-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of murder. He was taken to hospital with what officers say are critical injuries.
Police believe the fire was started deliberately and was domestic-related.
Detective chief inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “This is an absolutely devastating incident in which three children and a woman have lost their lives.
“Our thoughts remain with their family, friends and loved ones.”
Key points
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after house fire
Police believe blaze started deliberately
Man under arrest injured by fire
Neighbours tried to help after hearing screams
Police reveal victims’ names
Mayor urges anyone with information over ‘heartbreaking’ deaths to contact police
Wednesday 21 August 2024 18:45 , Jane Dalton
The mayor of West Yorkshire has offered her condolences following the “heartbreaking” deaths of four people in a house fire.
Tracy Brabin wrote: “The deaths of Bryonie Gawith and children Denisty, Oscar and Aubree Birtle following a house fire in Bradford early this morning are heartbreaking.
“My thoughts, and those of everyone across West Yorkshire, are with their family, friends, loved ones and the wider community.
“As enquiries are ongoing, I would encourage anyone with information to contact West Yorkshire Police.”
Murder suspect in critical condition
Wednesday 21 August 2024 18:25 , Jane Dalton
A man arrested on suspicion of murder is in a critical condition in hospital, police say.
West Yorkshire Police believe the fire was started deliberately and was domestic-related.
Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater said: “A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in a critical condition in hospital.”
Full report: Quadruple tragedy as mother and children killed in suspected arson attack
Wednesday 21 August 2024 17:45 , Jane Dalton
Quadruple tragedy as mother and three young children killed in suspected arson attack
Trained officers support surviving family members
Wednesday 21 August 2024 17:20 , Jane Dalton
Specially trained police officers are supporting the rest of the family after four members died in the fire.
Giving a statement at the scene, Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater of West Yorkshire Police said: “A 29-year-old woman named Bryonie Gawith had died at the scene.
“Three children, named as nine-year-old Denisty Birtle, five-year-old Oscar Birtle and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle were taken to hospital, where, sadly, all three died from their injuries.
“Whilst inquiries are at their early stages, we believe that the fire was started deliberately and this incident was domestic-related.
“Detectives from our homicide and major inquiry team have launched a murder investigation into the fire.
“A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in a critical condition in hospital.
“Specially trained officers are supporting the family and my neighbourhood officers are in the area carrying out reassurance patrols.
“I would appeal to anyone who is in the Westbury Road area at the time of the incident, who has CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.
“Our thoughts are with the family, their friends and the community at this sad time.”
Wellwishers leave flowers
Wednesday 21 August 2024 17:00 , Jane Dalton
People have begun to leave flowers at the police cordon.
A message with one bunch said: “I love you all, all this world and more. I will miss you forever. Miss you my beautiful angels.”
Around 100m of Westbury Road remains cordoned off around the three-bedroom semi-detached house and there are a number of police vehicles still parked in the street.
Earlier, forensics officers in white protective clothing could be seen going in and out of the property.
Neighbours smashed windows as fire burned
Wednesday 21 August 2024 16:40 , Jane Dalton
A neighbour said: “I heard the sirens and looked out my window.
“I could see the flames coming out of the front door of the house.”
She said neighbours ran to the house and smashed windows to try to get inside.
“It was local people trying to help out,” she said.
“It was crazy. I saw so many ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles on the street.
“We were all standing closer but the police sent us back to extend the scene.”
Police identify four victims
Wednesday 21 August 2024 16:16 , Jane Dalton
Police have identified the four fire victims as 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith and her children, Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months.
‘A massive shock to the street'
Wednesday 21 August 2024 16:00 , Jane Dalton
A woman living nearby has told how local people are shocked by the fire in what is normally a quiet area.
She told the Telegraph & Argus: “It’s a massive shock to the street. It’s normally a quiet street.
“I knew of the family and had seen them walking past. They’re all victims. It’s not nice to see.
“I don’t how I’m going to explain what’s happened to my children.”
Sky lit up with flames, says neighbour
Wednesday 21 August 2024 15:30 , Jane Dalton
A neighbour said the sky lit up as the fire blazed and shouting and screaming were heard.
Lindsey Pearson, who lives around the corner from the house, said: “I saw blue flashing lights, which were just continuous, and thought ‘something’s not right’.”
Ms Pearson said her daughter and son-in-law, who live with her, said their room was filled with the smell of smoke.
She said: “We looked out of the window and just saw a big flame. The sky was just lit up. It was like thunder and lightning.”
Ms Pearson, who has lived in the area for 14 years, said: “We thought it was the care home at the top of the road, because that’s where we work, and thought ‘we need to go, we need to go’.”
Ms Pearson said she left the house with her son-in-law and was met with police.
“They were saying there’s people inside, it’s a house fire. And they wouldn’t let us through, which you can understand but we just wanted to help.
“It’s absolutely terrible. Everybody was just so upset.”
Ms Pearson said her daughter heard shouting and screaming coming from the direction of the house.
In pictures: Forensics officers at scene
Wednesday 21 August 2024 15:20 , Jane Dalton
In pictures: Semi-detached house damaged
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:50 , Jane Dalton
Full report: Three children and woman killed in house fire
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:35 , Jane Dalton
Three children and woman killed in Bradford house fire as man arrested for murder
In pictures: Police cordon off fire scene for investigation
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:20 , Jane Dalton
Police have cordoned off the area around the house as investigations are under way into what happened:
Detectives appeal for witnesses and footage
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:20 , Jane Dalton
Investigators are asking for witnesses to describe what they saw following a fire in Bradford that killed three children and a 29-year-old woman.
Detective chief inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “We are appealing anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who has CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.”
Photos show house damaged by flames and smoke
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:09 , Jane Dalton
Photos show the extent of the damage to the house in Westbury Road, Bradford:
Neighbours tried to help as screams heard
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:58 , Jane Dalton
A woman who lives in the street told the Telegraph and Argus that neighbours rushed to try to help as screams were heard and smoke filled the air.
“My husband went up the street to see if he could help.
“He could see it was a house fire as there were flames and smoke coming out of it. The fire was blazing.
“But firefighters and police told him to stand back and not put himself in danger. There were other residents trying to help too.”
The woman said: “There was really thick smoke coming up the street. It filled the whole area. It looked foggy. It was overwhelming.
“You could hear screaming.
“I was scared to go up there to see because you don’t know what’s happening.”
Man under arrest injured by fire
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:50 , Jane Dalton
Police say the man under arrest was badly injured by the flames.
Detective chief inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “This is an absolutely devastating incident in which three children and a woman have lost their lives.
“Our thoughts remain with their family, friends and loved ones.
“Early enquiries show that the fire was started deliberately, and we have arrested one man on suspicion of murder.
“He is seriously ill in hospital today as a result of injuries caused by the fire.
“While our enquiries are at an early stage, we do at this time believe the incident is domestic-related.”
Fire suspected to have been started deliberately
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:38 , Jane Dalton
Police believe the fire in Westbury Road, Bradford, was started deliberately and was domestic-related.
Officers arrested a 39-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of murder after being called to the house in the early hours of the morning.
Scene of the fire
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:35 , Jane Dalton
This is the road where the fire broke out:
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after house fire
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:16 , Jane Dalton
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after four people, including three children, died in a house fire in Bradford.
Two girls, one aged nine and the other one, and a five-year-old boy were taken to hospital but all died from their injuries.
A 29-year-old woman also died at the scene, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers were called by the fire service to reports of a house fire at a property on Westbury Road just after 2am on Wednesday, the force said.