A man arrested on suspicion of murder after a house fire killed a mother and her three children was the ex-partner of a woman visiting the family, police have said.
Bryonie Gawith, also known as B, and her three children – Denisty, 9, Oscar, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle – died in a house fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Bradford.
The children’s father, Jonathan, said he was “absolutely distraught” after the “sudden loss”.
Denisty, Oscar and Aubree Birtle
West Yorkshire Police said: “Due to speculation online surrounding the fire, we are keen to address some of the rumours.
“A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. This man is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.”
Uniformed officers visited the address last month due to an unrelated matter, police added.
Specialist officers continue to support the family, including Bryonie’s partner Jonathan.
“They are understandably devastated at their loss and we ask that their privacy is respected,” the force said.
Police said earlier that they believed the blaze was started deliberately and was “domestic related”.
In a statement issued via the force, the family said the loss of “our B” and the children, referred to as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry”, had brought “unimaginable sadness and grief”.
The tribute read: “Our B was the life and soul of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she would always be singing and dancing with Chuch (Denisty), Oggy (Oscar) and Strawberry (Aubree).
“B was always a really happy, joyful, bubbly beautiful woman, who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone, her kids were everything to her, her whole life,” the statement said.
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“Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl.
“We are still trying to comprehend what has happened to our beautiful family. No words can describe how we are feeling and no words could ever make up for the profound loss we are now faced with,” the statement added.
“We are overwhelmed and grateful for all the support and kind words we are receiving, but we ask as a family if we can be given the respect and privacy so we can try to come to terms with the unimaginable sadness and grief of this tragic loss of our beautiful family.
“Also our thoughts and support for the father of our three babies. Please allow him peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of his family.”
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The children’s father, Jonathan, also released a statement which read: “I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancee, Bryonie and our three beautiful children.
“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.”