Tributes have been paid to a mother and her three young children who died in a suspected arson attack on their home in Bradford. Bryonie Gawith, 29, along with her daughters Aubree, one, and Denisty, nine, and son Oscar, five, perished in the blaze in the early hours of Wednesday.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is being treated in hospital for serious injuries sustained in the fire. West Yorkshire Police said initial inquiries suggest the fire was started deliberately and is believed to be domestic-related.
Neighbours described seeing flames lighting up the sky like a thunderstorm. Lindsay Pearson, 56, said her daughter heard shouting around 1.45am before they smelled smoke and saw a large flame. Pearson rushed out to help, recalling that Oscar had been seen playing on his scooter just days earlier.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, with messages including: 'Have fun in heaven. We will miss you' and 'RIP to my beautiful auntie and baby cousins.' Another read: 'I can’t put into words how heartbroken I am! My best friend, my sister!'
Police were called by the fire service to the property on Westbury Road. Gawith died at the scene, while the children were taken to hospital but later died. Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater described it as an 'absolutely devastating incident' and appealed for anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, expressed her heartbreak over the deaths. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 107 of 21 August.
