Kirton fire murder: What we know so far

Specialists are at the scene of the Kirton fire where three people lost their lives on New Year’s Day in what Lincolnshire Police is describing as a “complex investigation”.

As previously reported, police said that have no plans to confirm the identity of the victims of the house fire, which happened in Kirton on New Year’s Day, despite widespread reports and allegations, as well as tributes.

Photo: BBC News Hub

Detective Chief Inspector Karl Whiffen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “This is a complex investigation due to the circumstances. Specialists are at the scene and are working diligently as we try to understand what happened.

“We are also supporting the families of those involved in this awful tragedy. I would like to re-state our message to media to not contact them.

“I am aware that some inaccurate information has appeared in the media since the incident and would ask people not to speculate on this case.

“I cannot say at this stage when the investigation will be completed, but at the end of the process we will submit a file to the coroner.”

Photo: BBC News Hub

Photo: BBC News Hub

Here’s what we know so far

• The fire happened on Peartree Road in Kirton near Boston at 3am on New Year’s Day
• A total of five people were in the house when the blaze started
• Three people died in the fire – all were British
• A woman aged 27 died, along with two men aged 24 and 32
• Two other people taken to hospital survived the blaze and have been discharged.
• The women who managed two escape have been named locally as Natalie Hall and PCSO Rachel Braim, but this has not been confirmed by police.
• According to reports Natalie Hall jumped from a top floor window, sustaining an injury to her leg.
• Local people praised brave neighbours who rushed towards the flames rescuing two women from the scene
• Police are treating the incident as a domestic murder
• Officers believe the suspected murderer died in the house fire. No other suspects are sought at this stage
• Because of the damage from the fire establishing the cause might take a while longer
• On Friday, January 4 police told reporters the scene examination is expected to continue for “some days”
• One source reportedly told The Sun a bitter love triangle was at the centre of the devastating incident
• The Sun also reported that two of the three people found in the home were allegedly stabbed before the fire
• Police said shortly before 4.30pm on Friday, January 4 that the investigation is continuing. The force said it is not in a position to name those who died
• Boston man Billy Hicks has been named locally as one of the three people who died in the fire. According to The Sun he split from a relationship with Jay Edmunds, 27, daughter of the house owners, around a year ago. It is not known if she was the woman killed in the blaze
• He also previously worked at the Edmunds family’s pub Spirit of Endeavour

Lincolnshire Police is keen to hear from anyone who has information about the occupants of the address, or anyone who was driving in or near Peartree Road between 3pm on New Year’s Eve and 3am on New Year’s Day.

Police also want to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage from this time or who may have seen anything which could assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 139 of January 1.