Police name three who died in Kirton house fire, as one is named as suspect

Police have officially released the names of all three people who died in a tragic house fire in Kirton, and have named one of them as the suspect who started the blaze.

Emergency services rushed to the property at Peartree Road on New Year's Day at 3am following reports of a fire. It killed three people and destroyed the house.

Lincolnshire Police have now confirmed the names of those who died in the incident included 27-year-old Jay Edmunds, from Kirton, and 24-year-old Billy Hicks, from Wyberton. Their names had already been widely reported.

Their families have paid tribute, with Mr Hicks's relatives describing him as "the life and soul of the party".

"He was a very caring and loving person with a fantastic sense of humour.

"Our family is devastated for him to be taken away from us in such a tragic way."

Meanwhile Jay's family described her as a "vibrant, funny, beautiful and loving daughter and sister".

Their statement said: "We are shocked and horrified by the events that have taken Jay from us. Our hearts are broken."

The force has also now revealed 32-year-old Ashley Martin, from Luton, is the third person who died.

A police statement says he "would be treated as a suspect" in the deaths of Mr Hicks and Ms Edmunds.

Detective Chief Inspector Karl Whiffen said it had been "a complex incident to deal with".

“A file will be passed to the coroner. However, it is important to note that a coroner’s role is not to apportion guilt or to attribute blame.

“They will determine essential facts about how each person died."

Dates for an inquest are yet to be set.