GoFundMe for household of mom and kids who died in Bradford fireplace
A GoFundMe page set up for the family of a mother and her three children who tragically died in a Bradford house fire has raised thousands of pounds.
‘Joyful, bubbly, and beautiful’ mother Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her young children – affectionately nicknamed ‘Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry’ – were all killed in a devastating blaze when their home went up in flames on Wednesday, August 21.
Nine-year-old Denisty, ‘cheeky but shy’ Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, who was just 22 months old – were all at home when the fire rampaged through the building.
Police believe the house fire was ‘deliberately set’ and it is being treated as a ‘domestic related’ incident.
A fundraiser set up by a family friend and Bryonie’s father Brian has raised £15,664 of its £10,000 target at the time of writing to help support the family.
Today, Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, both from the Keighley area of Bradford, were charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
A GoFundMe page set up for the family of a mother and her three children who tragically died in a Bradford house fire has raised thousands of pounds
Nine-year-old Denisty, ‘cheeky but shy’ Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months – were all at home when the building was set alight
A horrific clip showed the moment the fire broke out and flames engulfed the home on Westbury Road in Bradford
Pictures show belongings scattered in the garden of the Bradford home
Police and floral tributes at the scene on Westbury Road, Bradford
Emotional tributes were left at the scene on Westbury Road, including balloons and bears
A message paying tribute to a ‘beautiful auntie and baby cousins’ is among those left
People have placed flowers where a house fire killed the mother and three children in Bradford
Emotional tributes from relatives of the house fire victims have been left near the scene
Ami Challen wrote on GoFundMe: ‘It is with great sadness that I find myself writing this today.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we share the tragic news of the loss of our beautiful Bryonie and her three beautiful babies, Denisty-mai aged nine, Oscar aged five and Aubree just 22 months old, to a house fire in the early hours of the 21st August 2024.
‘I am launching a GoFundMe campaign to help support Bryonie’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
‘My goal is to eliminate some of the financial burdens they are facing including the funeral cost, legal expenses and any other unforeseen challenges that may arise.
‘While no amount of money can fill the void left by their passing. I hope to provide some comfort and support to their loved ones.
‘We are grateful for every contribution you can make, no matter the size. Every donation will go to Brian, Bryonie’s father to help him navigate the difficult days ahead.
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, generosity and support.’
One anonymous donor incredibly gave £1,000.
Five fire engines and a dozen ambulances arrived just after 2am, when smoke was ‘billowing out of the house’ and locals smelled ‘burned rubber’ as the property went up in a blaze.
Neighbours reported hearing ‘screaming’ coming from the family home before they saw the fire which lit up the ‘whole sky’.
Emotional tributes were left at the scene on Westbury Road, with a heartbreaking photo showing their slide and paddling pool in the garden.
A sweet tribute saying ‘have fun in heaven, we will miss you’ has been left at the scene, placed atop a set of purple and white flowers.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene, while her two daughters, nine-year-old Denisty and 22-month-old Aubree, and her son Oscar Birtle, five, later died in hospital
People look at floral tributes after placing flowers at the home on Westbury Road, Bradford
A children’s car seat can be seen lying amongst soot and burnt wooden panels on the grass
Aerial photos of the property show the burnt out door and window of the home.
A children’s car seat can be seen lying amongst soot and wooden panels on the grass in the front, with a children’s slide and pool in the back garden.
Kelly Armstrong, who lives nearby, said she first feared the blaze was at the care home where her husband works.
She said: ‘We heard shouting and screaming, we heard kids screaming at about 1.45am.
‘I rolled over and went to sleep but I sleep with the window open and the next thing I knew I was being choked by the smoke.
Ms Armstrong said the family that lived at the house hadn’t been there long but she would sometimes see the five-year-old boy playing on his scooter.
She said: ‘He was such a polite little boy.’
Footage showed flames billowing out the windows of their Bradford home as helpless bystanders watch on while waiting for the fire services.
One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘Flames and smoke were coming out of house. We were shocked.
‘There was really thick smoke coming up the street. It filled the whole area. It looked foggy. It was overwhelming.
‘You could hear screaming. I was scared to go up there to see because you don’t know what’s happening. It’s a massive thing that’s gone on. It’s scary.’
Another local said: ‘I did wake up and I saw all police incident vans. My nephew, who lives opposite, rang the fire brigade.
‘He also rang me to tell me he was all right. It’s a terrible thing to happen. It’s just awful and horrendous.’
Shabir and Sunderland were arrested over the weekend in connection with the deaths and have since been charged.
They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Four other people remain under investigation, including a 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Police were seen guarding a cordon in Westbury Road, Bradford, following the incident
A police cordon in place on August 21 following the horrific house fire
Police and firefighters on the scene after officers were called at 2.07am to reports of a blaze
Police believe the house fire was ‘deliberately set’ and it is being treated as ‘domestic-related’
Police and floral tributes at the scene after the devastating blaze killed the family
One of the men arrested on suspicion of murder is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family, police said.
On Friday, a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He has been interviewed and released on conditional bail.
A 54-year-old woman and 42-year-old man were also arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender – they have been interviewed and released on bail.
Tributes have been paid to the victims, with Bryonie – known as ‘B’ – described as a ‘joyful, bubbly, beautiful woman’ by her devastated relatives.
A statement released by her family 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.
‘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.
‘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.’
In a message tied to a lamp post, Bryonie’s mother wrote: ‘Bryonie, my beautiful baby daughter. I will love and miss you forever. Love mum.’
A note left by sisters Claire and Antonia read: ‘Our babies, too young to be taken, our hearts are broken.
‘Life will never be the same without you all. Auntie Nonie, Auntie Claire, Uncle Tom and all your cousins will never forget you. Until we meet again, sleep tight our angels.’
A heartwrenching tribute from a teacher to the children lost in the fire read: ‘The stars will shine a little bit brighter in the sky tonight’ and said Oscar’s ‘cheeky’ smiles which ‘lit up the classroom’ will be missed.
Abigail Brooksbank, 29, Bryonie’s best friend, said the two of them were planning a night out over the bank holiday weekend just a few hours before the attack.
One tribute emotionally read: ‘My aunty B, I will miss and love you forever’
A heartbreaking tribute from a teacher to the children lost in the fire read: ‘The stars will shine a little bit brighter in the sky tonight’ and said their ‘cheeky’ smiles will be missed
Flowers have been placed in Westbury Road, Bradford, by mourners following the tragedy
The shattered window in the house on Westbury Road, Bradford, where Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children died in a fire
The children’s father, Jonathan, said he was ‘absolutely distraught’ by the loss of his fiancée Bryonie and their ‘three beautiful children’.
In a statement he said: ‘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.’
A month before the deadly fire, Birtle, 34, was charged with intentionally strangling the mother of his children.
The scaffolder was also charged with possession of cannabis and stealing her phone, and is being held on remand and will appear at Bradford Crown Court next month.
Birtle is not being treated as a suspect in the house fire and detectives don’t believe he was involved in any way.
He was behind bars when Bryonie and their three young children were killed in the blaze.
Amanda McInnes, of the Crown Prosecution Service for Yorkshire and Humberside, said today: ‘Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Bryonie and her children.
‘We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
