A man accused of setting a house on fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of a woman and her three children, reportedly rejected medical assistance from paramedics at the scene, as revealed in court.
The accused, Sharaz Ali, allegedly started the fire at the residence of Bryonie Gawith and her children in August 2024, purportedly in retaliation against Antonia Gawith, his former partner and Bryonie’s sibling. Antonia had sought refuge at her sister’s home on Westbury Road in Bradford following her separation from Ali.
According to testimonies in court, Ali was rescued from the blaze by the initial responding police officers, who forcibly entered the property and extracted him. Regrettably, the firefighters arrived too late to save Bryonie, 29, and her three children, who were tragically trapped on the upper floor. The children, identified as Denisty Birtle (nine), Oscar Birtle (five), and Aubree Birtle (22 months), were discovered in their beds and could not be revived.
During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Ali resisted medical attention from paramedics upon his arrest at the scene. Allegedly, he declined oxygen and fluids, exhibiting distress upon being detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Medical personnel eventually managed to administer oxygen to him after calming him down.
Further accounts from law enforcement revealed that despite Ali’s refusal of treatment and aversion to physical contact, a medical professional intervened by administering sedatives to render him unconscious. Subsequent reports indicated that Ali sustained severe burns covering 70% of his body and was placed in a medically induced coma for an extended period before commencing his recovery.
Prosecutors assert that Ali’s actions were driven by jealousy and exacerbated by substance abuse when he visited Bryonie’s residence in Bradford, where Antonia sought shelter following the termination of their tumultuous seven-year relationship.
Witness testimonies from the trial detailed Antonia’s harrowing experience of encountering Ali forcibly entering the house and dousing the premises, herself, and him with petrol. Despite her attempts to seek safety outdoors, she found Ali ascending the stairs after Bryonie intervened. Allegedly, Ali ignited the fire with a lighter, prompting a chaotic scene as flames engulfed the property.
Charged with the murders of Bryonie and her three children, as well as the attempted murder of Antonia, Ali, 40, of unspecified residence, and Calum Sunderland, 26, of Calton Street, Keighley, are both maintaining their innocence as the trial progresses.
An additional individual, Mohammed Shabir, 45, who was set to stand trial alongside Ali and Sunderland, tragically passed away due to a heart attack while in custody. Prosecutors allege that Shabir facilitated transportation to and from the location, with Sunderland reportedly involved in breaking down the door.
The defendants continue to deny the charges against them, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.