Prayer service for mum and children killed in fire

Bryonie Gawith and her three childrenImage source, UGC
Image caption,

Bryonie Gawith and her three children all died in the fire

  • Published

A prayer service took place earlier for a mother and her three children who died in a house fire in Bradford.

Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her daughter Denisty Birtle, nine, son Oscar Birtle, five, and daughter Aubree Birtle, 22 months, died in the blaze on Westbury Road on Wednesday.

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

The doors of St John the Evangelist, Roman Catholic church on Cooper Lane, were open from this afternoon for people, ahead of the service at 18:00 BST.

Image source, Charles Heslett/BBC
Image caption,

Dozens of tributes have been left outside the scene of the fire

Parish priest, the Reverend Monsignor Paul Grogan told the BBC: "Everyone wants somewhere they can go to remember her and to pray for her.

"So we wanted to open this community resource for people to access if they wish to do so."

West Yorkshire Police said they believed the incident was "deliberate" and "domestic" in nature.

Speaking on Wednesday, Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson said: "Whilst inquiries are in their early stages, we believe that the fire was started deliberately, and that this incident was domestic related."

The BBC understands that detectives are investigating whether the suspected arson attack resulted from a dispute involving another family member.

Image source, Charles Heslett/BBC
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Zoe Henderson and son Harlan had come to lay a tribute and pay their respects

Zoe Henderson, who lives on Eastbury Avenue, near to the fire, said she had known Ms Gawith from "being little" but had not seen her in recent years.

"It's heartbreaking because I haven't seen in her in a lot of years and it's such really sad news."

The 32-year-old, who had come to place a teddy tribute at the scene along with her eight-year-old son Harlan, added: "I've got my own children too so it's even more upsetting.

"I cried last night in bed. It's such a shock to the system."

Police have appealed for anyone who was in the Westbury Road area at the time of the incident or who has CCTV or doorbell footage to get in touch.

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Image source, Charles Heslett/BBC
Image caption,

Police remain at the secene while investigations continue

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