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A devastating house fire in Bradford, which claimed the lives of a young mother and her three small children, has revealed a shocking narrative of revenge, jealousy, and extreme violence at the ongoing trial. Prosecutors allege that the main aggressor in the catastrophic incident was Sharaz Ali, a 40-year-old man of no fixed address, who is understood to be of Pakistani ethnic heritage. While the news report primarily focuses on the criminal charges and court proceedings, the background of Ali, his alleged motivations, and the tragic consequences have cast a shadow over the community.
The court heard that on the night of August 21st last year, Ali, reportedly fueled by alcohol and narcotics, drove from Keighley to Westbury Road in Bradford with an associate, Calum Sunderland, 26, to carry out a vengeful act against his former partner, Antonia Gawith. The relationship between Ali and Ms. Gawith, which had been described as "abusive," had recently ended after seven years, prompting Ms. Gawith to seek refuge at her sister's home. The prosecution detailed the pair's sinister preparations, including a stop to purchase a seven-liter can of petrol en route to the property.
Ring doorbell footage reportedly captured the moments leading up to the tragedy: Ali instructed Sunderland, who was carrying the flammable liquid and a lighter, to "kick the door in." After forcing entry, Sunderland quickly retreated to the getaway vehicle. Ali then allegedly entered the home and began pouring petrol inside, initially targeting Antonia Gawith.
Antonia Gawith managed to survive the attack and told the court of the terrifying confrontation. She witnessed her sister, Bryonie Gawith, 29, waking up and courageously confronting Ali, attempting to kick him as he moved up the stairs. Ms. Gawith managed to wrestle the petrol container from Ali, but the situation spiralled out of control when he ignited a lighter. The fire immediately erupted, engulfing the stairs and catching Ali and Bryonie Gawith in the inferno.
Antonia Gawith managed to escape through the front door but was unable to get back inside to help her family. The back door, she reported, was jammed. While she frantically sought entry from the rear, her sister Bryonie was making a desperate 999 call from inside. When police arrived a mere six minutes later, the house was fully engulfed in flames, and it was too late to save the family. Tragically, Bryonie Gawith and her children—Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle—perished in the blaze.
In a twist of fate, Ali himself was caught by the fire he started and was later pulled badly injured from the house by police. Prosecutor David Brooke KC emphasized that Ali was the principal orchestrator, asserting that he "decided to take revenge on his ex-partner Antonia regardless of the potential consequences for others."
Both Sharaz Ali, 40, and Calum Sunderland, 26, stand charged with the murder of Bryonie Gawith and her three children, in addition to the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith. A third man, Mohammed Shabir, 45, who was due to stand trial alongside them, died last month after suffering a heart attack while in custody. The trial is ongoing as Ali and Sunderland maintain their not guilty pleas.
