Bradford fire: father pays tribute to fiancée and "beautiful children"
Bryonie Gawith and her three children, Denisty, Oscar and Aubree Birtle, were killed in what police believe was a "deliberate" fire
Last updated 23rd Aug 2024
The father of three children who died in a "devastating" fire at a house in Bradford has paid tribute to them, as police release more details about their investigation.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, died at the house in Westbury Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning (August 21).
Her three children, nine-year-old Denisty, five-year-old Oscar, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, all died in hospital.
Their father Jonathan Birtle has released a tribute, saying: "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.”
Man arrested on suspicion of murder was "ex-partner" of woman visiting
It comes as police confirm a man in a critical condition in hospital, arrested on suspicion of murder, is the ex-partner of a woman who had been visiting the family.
In an update released on Thursday night (August 22), West Yorkshire Police confirmed uniformed officers had visited the address in July on an "unrelated matter".
They will not be making a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is the police watchdog.
The force said: "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.
"Please be mindful of the distress that speculation can cause."
Bryonie's family also released a separate tribute to her and her three children, describing her as someone who "loved music, singing and dancing".
They said: "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.
"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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