House fire which killed three children and woman ‘was started deliberately’

UK

A 29-year-old woman and three children have been named after they were pronounced dead following a house fire in Bradford.

Five fire service crews and police arrived just after 2am, but 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three children – two girls and a boy – were taken to hospital, but later died.

They have been named by police as Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months.

A man, 39, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital with critical injuries.

“Whilst inquiries are at their early stages, we believe that the fire was started deliberately and this incident was domestic-related,” Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater of West Yorkshire Police said in a statement this afternoon.

“Detectives from our homicide and major inquiry team have launched a murder investigation into the fire.

“Specially trained officers are supporting the family and my neighbourhood officers are in the area carrying out reassurance patrols,” she added.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Westbury Road area at the time of the incident, who has CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.

“Our thoughts are with the family, their friends and the community at this sad time.”

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