A man arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene of a house fire that killed a mother and her three children is “in a coma” and “may not wake up”, a court heard.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died in the fire at their home in Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21.
Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, both from Keighley, appeared in court charged with the murder and attempted murder of Antonia Gawith.
Prosecutor Matthew Bean told Bradford Crown Court there was a third suspect who was “in a coma” in hospital after being arrested at the scene of the fire.
“He is in very poor health at the moment and is unlikely to recover,” Bean said.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died after the fire in their home on August 21
An aerial view of the scene on Westbury Road after four people died in a house fire on August 21
The house in Westbury Road, Bradford, where 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith and her three children died in a house fire
“That may be, but there is a certain amount of uncertainty at the moment.”
“There is a possibility that there will be two more defendants, perhaps even three, for separate but related crimes.”
Shabir and Sunderland, who appeared via video link from prison, were not asked to plead guilty to the charges.
They were remanded in custody pending their next appearance before the same court on September 25 for a guilty plea hearing and trial preparation.
Judge Jonathan Rose, the Recorder of Bradford, set March 4 as a provisional trial date.
Mr Bean said the trial was expected to last between eight and 10 days, but could take longer if there were more defendants or if the third suspect recovered.
Police said Sunderland was arrested following police inquiries in the Keighley area in the early hours of Monday morning.
Shabir was arrested when he entered a police station after 10:00 a.m. the same day.
West Yorkshire Police said four other people were still being investigated, including a 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Nine-year-old Denisty, “cheeky but shy” Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, were all at home when the building was set on fire
The court sketch shows Mohammed Shabir, 44, (left) and Calum Sunderland, 25, (right), both from Keighley, appearing at Bradford Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
A horrific clip shows the moment the fire breaks out and the flames engulf the house on Westbury Road in Bradford
Emotional messages of condolence were left at the crime scene on Westbury Road, including balloons and bears
Mrs Gawith died at the scene of the accident and the three children succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
In a statement issued through police last week, the victims' family said the loss of “our B” and the children, named as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry”, had caused “unimaginable grief and heartache”.
The tribute states: “Our B was the life of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she was always singing and dancing with Chuch (Denisty), Oggy (Oscar) and Strawberry (Aubree).
“B was always a truly happy, cheerful, vibrant and beautiful woman who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone. Her children meant everything to her throughout her life.
“Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and embarrassed with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl.”
“We are still trying to understand what happened to our wonderful family.
“No words can describe how we feel, and no words can ever make up for the profound loss we now face.”
