Murder investigation after three children and woman killed in Bradford house fire

A murder investigation has been launched after three children and a woman died in a house fire in Bradford.

A 29-year-old woman, later named by police as Bryonie Gawith, died at the scene following the incident on Westbury Road at 2.07am on Wednesday.

The children – Aubree, aged 22 months, five-year-old Oscar and Denisty, nine – were taken to hospital but later died.

A 39-year-old man who was found critically injured was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Lindsey Pearson, who lives nearby, witnessed the incident unfolding. She said: “I saw blue flashing lights, which were just continuous, and thought ‘something’s not right’.”

Ms Pearson said her daughter and son-in-law, who live with her, said their room was filled with the smell of smoke.

She said: “We looked out of the window and just saw a big flame. The sky was just lit up. It was like thunder and lightning.”

Ms Pearson, who has lived in the area for 14 years, said: “We thought it was the care home at the top of the road, because that’s where we work, and thought ‘we need to go, we need to go’.”

She said she left the house with her son-in-law and was met with police.

“They were saying 'there’s people inside, it’s a house fire'," she said. "And they wouldn’t let us through, which you can understand but we just wanted to help. It’s absolutely terrible. Everybody was just so upset.”

People began to leave flowers at the police cordon on Wednesday afternoon.

A message with one bunch said: “I love you all, all this world and more. I will miss you forever. Miss you my beautiful angels.”

Around 100m of Westbury Road remained cordoned off around the three-bedroom semi-detached house and there were a number of police vehicles still parked in the street.

Earlier, forensics officers in white protective clothing could be seen going in and out of the property.

Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police, said: "This is an absolutely devastating incident in which three children and a woman have lost their lives.

"Our thoughts remain with their family, friends and loved ones.

"Early enquiries show that the fire was started deliberately, and we have arrested one man on suspicion of murder. He is seriously ill in hospital today as a result of injuries caused by the fire.

"While our enquiries are at an early stage, we do at this time believe the incident is domestic related.

"We are appealing anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who has CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward."

She added: “Specially trained officers are supporting the family, and we are working with local neighbourhood officers to carry out enquiries and provide reassurance in the area.”

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