A man accused of deliberately setting a house fire that killed a mother and her three young children refused treatment from paramedics at the scene, a court has heard.
The Fatal Blaze on Westbury Road
Sharaz Ali allegedly set fire to the home of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children in Bradford in a revenge attack targeting his ex-partner. The court at Doncaster Crown Court was told that the tragedy unfolded in the early hours of August 21 last year on Westbury Road.
Jurors heard that Ali was rescued from the burning building by the first police officers to arrive, who broke down the back door and pulled him to safety. However, by the time firefighters reached the scene, it was too late to save Bryonie and her children, who were trapped upstairs.
The three children – nine-year-old Denisty Birtle, five-year-old Oscar Birtle, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle – were all discovered in their beds and could not be revived.
Refusal of Medical Care and Court Proceedings
On Wednesday, the court heard a statement from PC Wilson, who attended the devastating blaze. The statement revealed that Ali was arrested at the scene and refused treatment from paramedics, rejecting offers of oxygen and fluids.
According to the officer, Ali put his head in his hands when arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Medical teams eventually managed to calm him and administer oxygen before he was transported to hospital.
The court was told that Ali continued to refuse treatment at Leeds General Infirmary and would not allow anyone to touch him. A doctor subsequently made the decision to override his refusal and administered drugs to render him unconscious.
Another officer, PC Sean McKee, stated that Ali was severely injured upon arrival at the hospital. His care team reported he was in a critical condition, with 70 per cent of his body covered in burns. Ali was placed in an induced coma for months before his recovery began.
The Alleged Motive and Co-accused
Prosecutors allege that Ali was "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" when he went to the house. His ex-partner, Antonia Gawith – Bryonie's sister – was staying there after ending their "abusive" seven-year relationship earlier that month.
Last week, Antonia gave evidence, telling the trial she came downstairs after hearing a noise and saw Ali force his way into the house with another man. She stated that he then poured petrol around the house, on her, and on himself.
She described running outside, but when Ali did not follow, she went back and saw him climbing the stairs. She testified that Bryonie, who had woken up, kicked him down the stairs. Antonia said she then saw Ali use a lighter to start the fire before the front door swung shut.
When she managed to open the door, she said there was "fire everywhere". She recounted desperately trying to open the jammed back door while shouting for help for her family, who were trapped as flames engulfed the property.
Ali, 40, of no fixed address, and Calum Sunderland, 26, of Calton Street, Keighley, are both charged with four counts of murder and the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith. Prosecutors say Sunderland kicked the door in. A third man, Mohammed Shabir, 45, who was also charged, died of a heart attack last month after collapsing in prison. Both Ali and Sunderland deny all charges. The trial continues.
