Inquest into mum and her three kids killed in home fireplace opens
A mother and her three children were killed in a house fire less than an hour after emergency services received a frantic call for help, an inquest heard.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died following the blaze at their home in Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21.
Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, will stand trial next year for their murders and the attempted murder of Bryonie’s sister Antonia Gawith.
Bradford coroners court heard the emergency services were called at 2.07am to reports the house was on fire.
Bryonie Gawith died along with Denisty, Oscar, and Aubree at their home in Bradford
Nine-year-old Denisty, ‘cheeky but shy’ Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months – were all at home when the building was set alight
Court sketch shows Mohammed Shabir, 44, (left) and Calum Sunderland, 25, (right) both of Keighley, as they appeared at Bradford Magistrates’ Court
Bryonie tragically died at the house at 2.48am despite their best efforts, the brief hearing was told.
Coroners officer Helen Binns told the court: ‘Bryonie Gawith, a single female born on November 6 1994, she was 29 at the time of her death.
‘She died sadly on August 21 at 02.48 hours at Westbury Road, Bradford.’
Senior coroner Martin Fleming said: ‘On August 21 at 02.07 an urgent call was made to West Yorkshire Police to say a family house was on fire.
‘Present at the house was Bryonie Gawith and her three children.
‘Police and fire attended but despite their best efforts they sadly died.’
Mourners laid flowers outside of the house remembering Miss Gawith and her children
Emotional tributes were left at the scene on Westbury Road, including balloons and bears
DI Eleanor Buchanan from West Yorkshire Police told the inquest: ‘We have identified three suspects, two have been charged with serious offences and have appeared before crown court.
‘The next date is September 25 and a provisional trial date has been set for March 4 next year.
‘A third male removed from the property was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.’
Mr Fleming adjourned the hearing pending the outcome of the court case, adding: ‘I’m very keen to release the family to their loved ones.
‘Since of course the criminal proceedings must take priority I am suspending these proceedings pending the outcome of the crown court proceedings.’
A horrific clip showed the moment the fire broke out and flames engulfed the home on Westbury Road in Bradford
Three other people remain under investigation in connection with the fire, police previously said.
A 36-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempt murder has been interviewed and released on conditional bail.
A 54-year-old woman and 42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been interviewed and also released on bail.
Bryonie’s sister Antonia Gawith was believed to have been staying with her at the property after her relationship broke down.
She managed to flee the house before the fire was started.
She visited the scene with her other sister Claire and mum Rachel Simpson after the tragedy to lay flowers and read tributes left at the house.
In the family’s statement released by police, they spoke of ‘profound loss’ and said they were ‘still trying to comprehend what has happened’.
They said Bryonie was ‘the life and soul of the party’ and she would always be singing and dancing with her children, adding: ‘Her kids were everything to her.’
Jonathan Birtle, Bryonie’s partner and father of the children, 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.’
A fundraising page for the family has raised almost £20,000.
VIsit https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-bryonie-gawith-her-3-beautiful-babies? to donate.
