Two charged with murder after mum, 29, and kids aged 1, 5 & 9, died in Bradford house fire
TWO men have been charged with murder after a mum and her three kids were killed in a devastating house fire.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, was found dead at the scene in Westbury Road in Bradford on Wednesday, and her three children, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, all later died in hospital.
Police said their home was “deliberately set alight” in the early hours.
Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, both of Keighley, West Yorkshire, have been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The pair were arrested over the weekend in connection with the deaths.
All four family members were killed last Wednesday when their house was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack.
Shabir and Sunderland have been remanded in custody to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Four other people remain under investigation, West Yorkshire Police said.
A 39-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder remains in hospital in a critical condition.
A 36-year-old man arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder and attempt murder has been interviewed and released on conditional bail.
A 54-year-old woman and 42-year-old man arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender have been interviewed and released on bail.
Amanda McInnes from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Bryonie and her children.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
” It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Bryonie’s sister Antonia Gawith was believed to have been staying with her at the property after her relationship broke down.
She managed to flee the house before the fire was started.
She visited the scene with her other sister Claire and mum Rachel Simpson on Thursday to lay flowers and read tributes left at the house.
In the family’s statement released by police, they spoke of “profound loss” and said they were “still trying to comprehend what has happened”.
They said Bryonie was “the life and soul of the party” and she would always be singing and dancing with her children, adding: “Her kids were everything to her.”
Jonathan Birtle, Bryonie’s partner and father of the children, said: “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. I cannot imagine life without them.
“They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart.”