A man arrested on suspicion of murdering three children and their mother is the ex-partner of a woman who was staying with the family, police say. Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, all suffered fatal injuries in a house fire in Bradford in the early hours of Wednesday. The three children were taken to hospital, but later died from their injuries, police said.
Their mother died at the scene. A 39-year-old man, who is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family, was arrested at the house on suspicion of murder and was taken to hospital with critical injuries. Ms Gawith’s long-term partner, whose name has been given as just Jonathan, said: “I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancée, Bryonie and our three beautiful children.
” In a statement issued through police, he added: “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.” West Yorkshire Police said the family’s home in Westbury Road in the city was deliberately set alight and the attack was domestic-related.
Other members of the family of Ms Gawith, also known as B, have paid tribute to her and the children, saying no words could make up for .