Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over a ‘deliberate’ house fire that killed a mother and her four children in Bradford.
Bryonie Gawith aged 29, and her three children – Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five-, and 22-month-old, Aubree Birtle – all died in the inferno on Wednesday.
Two men aged 36 and 45 have been arrested, police revealed today.
A 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder as well remains in hospital in critical condition.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team said: ‘Extensive enquiries remain ongoing today in what is very much a live and active investigation.
‘Specialist officers are continuing to support the family. They are understandably devastated at their loss, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.
‘We are continuing to appeal for any information in relation to the fire, and keen to speak to anyone who might have any information to come forward.’
The fire erupted at the home on Westbury Road just before 2.10am. Neighbours awoke to screams as smoke spewed from the home and into the street.
Bryonie, known to many as B, was described as the ‘life and soul of the party’ by her family.
‘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,’ her family said in a tribute.
‘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.’
Bryonie’s fiancée and the father of her three children, Jonathan, said he has been ‘left ‘absolutely distraught’.
‘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,’ he said.
‘They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart.’
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