ALBAWABA- West Yorkshire Police have identified the victims of a devastating house fire in Bradford that claimed the lives of a mother and her three children in the early hours of the morning.
The victims were named 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith, her nine-year-old daughter Denisty Birtle, five-year-old son Oscar Birtle, and 22-month-old daughter Aubree Birtle.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in the hospital with critical injuries.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson confirmed the names of the deceased, describing the incident as "absolutely devastating," stating that early investigations suggest the fire was deliberately set and related to a domestic dispute.
"Our thoughts remain with the family's loved ones," said DCI Atkinson. "Specially trained officers are providing support to the family, and our neighborhood officers are conducting reassurance patrols in the area."
She urged anyone with information, including CCTV or doorbell footage from the Westbury Road area, to come forward.
Lyndsey Pearson, a neighbor, expressed the community's grief, describing how she was alerted to the fire by flashing blue lights and the smell of smoke. "We thought it was a car on fire at first," Pearson told BBC Look North.
"When we realized it was a house fire with people inside, it was heartbreaking. I feel sick—it's a horrible tragedy, especially knowing there were children involved."
