Four more people have today been arrested after a ‘beautiful’ mum and her three children died in a house fire.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze on Wednesday morning, while her two daughters, nine-year-old Denisty Birtle and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, and her son Oscar Birtle, five, later died in hospital.
West Yorkshire Police today confirmed four more people had been arrested amid the ‘murder’ probe after the tragedy at the Westbury Road home.
A total of seven people have been arrested in relation to the inferno that claimed the lives of the young faimily.
A man, 25, has this morning been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following police enquiries in the Keighley area in the early hours of this morning.
The force said two other people, a 54-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were also arrested from the same address on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Another man, 44, was also arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder shortly after 10am today.
On Friday last week a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and he today remains in custody.
Another man, 45, was also arrested on suspicion of the same charges, but was released without charges.
One other man, 39, who on Wednesday became the first to be arrested, remains in hospital fighting for his life.
West Yorkshire Police revealed on Friday that he was the ex-partner of someone who was visiting the house at the time.
Victim Bryonie’s devastated family paid tribute to the her and her children children, describing the mum as a ‘joyful, bubbly, beautiful woman’.
Loved ones said: ‘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, Oggy and Strawberry [the children].
‘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.
‘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 family 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.’
The children’s father, Jonathan, has also released a statement on Thursday.
He said: ‘I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancée, 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.’
West Yorkshire Police said detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information in relation to the fire to come forward.
Contact can be made by using Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Pockliffe.
Information can also be given anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.