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 recover”, a court heard.

Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children – Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and 22-month-old Aubree – died following the blaze at their home in Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21.

Yesterday afternoon (August 29), two Keighley men – Mohammed Shabir, 44, of Alice Street, and Calum Sunderland, 25, of Calton Street – made their first crown court appearance.

Both defendants are charged with murdering Ms Gawith and the three children and attempting to murder Antonia Gawith.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean told Bradford Crown Court that a third person arrested on suspicion of murder, a 39-year-old man, was currently in a coma.

"He is – at the moment – very unwell and the expectation is that he may not recover,” Mr Bean said.

“He may, but there is a degree of uncertainty.

“There is a possibility there will be two further defendants, perhaps three, on different offences but linked.”

Shabir and Sunderland, who appeared via a video link from prison, were not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

They were remanded in custody until their next appearance at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 25.

Judge Jonathan Rose, the Recorder of Bradford, set a provisional trial date of March 4.

Mr Bean said the trial was expected to last between eight and 10 days, but could be longer if there are other defendants.

Sunderland was arrested following police inquiries in the Keighley area in the early hours of Monday.

Shabir was arrested when he attended a police station the same day.

West Yorkshire Police say other people remain under investigation.

A man aged 36, arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, has been interviewed and released on conditional bail.

And a 54-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have also been interviewed and released on bail.

West Yorkshire Police told the Keighley News that they are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the incident.

Anybody able to assist is asked to call 101 or use the online live chat facility at westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat, quoting Operation Pockliffe.

Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.