The partner of a woman and dad to three children killed in a tragic house fire has spoken out with a heartbreaking admission, saying he would have taken their place "in a heartbeat". Mum Bryonie Gawith , 29, known to loved ones as B, perished in the fire at a house in Bradford in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Her three children Denisty Birtle, nine, five-year-old Oscar Birtle and baby Aubree Birtle, 22 months, were rushed to hospital where they also tragically died.
Police are treating the fire as having been started deliberately and have arrested a 39-year-old man, who they said was the ex-partner of someone who had been a guest at the house. The children's father, Jonathan Birtle, has joined Bryonie's family releasing a statement on the tragic loss. Mr Birtle, 35, said he had been left "heartbroken" by the unimaginable loss of his partner and children.
“Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together,” he said. “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 cannot imagine life without them. They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart.” Mr Birtle had been in custody at the time of the fire, and was not considered a part of the investigation.
Tributes released by Bryonie's family on Thursday described her "the life and soul of the party" who "loved music, singing and dancing" and, f.