Bradford house fire: Murder suspect is ex-partner of woman who was visiting family killed in blaze
A man arrested on suspicion of murder after a house fire killed a woman and her three children was the ex-partner of someone visiting the family, police have said.
Bryonie Gawith, also known as B, and her three children – Denisty, 9, Oscar, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle – died in a house fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Bradford.
The children’s father, Jonathan, said he was “absolutely distraught” after the “sudden loss”.
Denisty, Oscar and Aubree Birtle
West Yorkshire Police said: “Due to speculation online surrounding the fire, we are keen to address some of the rumours.
“A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. This man is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.”
Uniformed officers visited the address last month due to an unrelated matter, police added.
Specialist officers continue to support the family, including Bryonie’s partner Jonathan.
“They are understandably devastated at their loss and we ask that their privacy is respected,” the force said.
Police said earlier that they believed the blaze was started deliberately and was “domestic related”.
In a statement issued via the force, the family said the loss of “our B” and the children, referred to as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry”, had brought “unimaginable sadness and grief”.
The tribute read: “Our B was the life and soul of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she would always be singing and dancing with Chuch (Denisty), Oggy (Oscar) and Strawberry (Aubree).
“B was always a really happy, joyful, bubbly beautiful woman, who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone, her kids were everything to her, her whole life,” the statement said.
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“Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl.
“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 added.
“We are overwhelmed and grateful for all the support and kind words we are receiving, but we ask as a family if we can be given the respect and privacy so we can try to come to terms with the unimaginable sadness and grief of this tragic loss of our beautiful family.
“Also our thoughts and support for the father of our three babies. Please allow him peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of his family.”
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The children’s father, Jonathan, also released a statement which read: “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.”
Large groups of youths have been throwing fireworks, bricks and bottles at police in Edinburgh, during a night of disorder across the city.
Video posted online shows officers responding to Bonfire Night incidents in the Sighthill, Niddrie, Gracemount and Gilmerton areas.
Riot police have been seen on the streets of Edinburgh, wearing helmets and carrying shields, as fireworks were lit and exploded around them.
Footage from Gilmerton, a suburb in the southeast of the city, also showed burning debris in the street as youths rode on bicycles.
Police in Edinburgh were deployed to several areas, including the suburb of Gilmerton
Police were given extra stop and search powers in certain areas following “intelligence” about planned disorder and firework-related crime.
Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “We are currently responding to incidents of disorder involving large groups of youths throwing a range of objects, including fireworks, bricks and bottles, across Edinburgh.”
A helicopter was also deployed as part of Operation Moonbeam, aimed at supporting local police in tackling fireworks-related offences.
Officers used shields to take cover from fireworks
Meanwhile Lothian Buses withdrew all services from the Niddrie area for safety reasons.
Niddrie was also the scene of disorder on 31 October, when police and public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.
Youths rode on bicycles near officers, as debris burned in the street
On Tuesday, officers in Glasgow seized a “significant quantity” of fireworks from a van in the Drumchapel area which it is alleged were being “sold to the general public, including children”.
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Scotland’s first fireworks control zones (FCZ) are in place in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1 to 10 November.
Those convicted of setting off a firework within a FCZ face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in jail.
Meanwhile, it appears the famous Lewes bonfire night celebrations in East Sussex went off without incident after police urged people not to attend because of overcrowding concerns.
Effigies of Nigel Farage and Paula Vennells were burnt in Lewes Pic: PA
The so-called “bonfire capital of the world” is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities.
This year they included former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The Queen is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.
A palace spokesperson said Camilla’s doctors “have advised a short period of rest” and added that “with great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week”.
They added the Queen “very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal”.
“She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” they said.
It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home and is under doctor’s supervision.
Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, has stepped in on Camilla’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.
The Queen has also withdrawn from a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King on the same evening.
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Camilla recently returned from an overseas tour of Australia and Samoa. No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released.
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