Kirton house fire: Murder investigation launched after three die in New Year's Day blaze

Lincolnshire Police not looking for further suspects in connection with ‘tragic domestic incident’

Investigations are underway after three people died in a fire at a home in the Lincolnshire village of Kirton (PA)

Police have launched a murder investigation after three people died in a house fire in Lincolnshire on New Year's Day.

Bodies of the individuals were discovered inside the property, in the village of Kirton near Boston, on Tuesday after a blaze broke out at around 3am in the morning.

Officers are investigating the incident as a “domestic-related murder”, but are not looking for any other suspects in connection with the probe.

Superintendent Di Coulson, of Lincolnshire Police, said police had not yet been able to formally identify those who had died, but were confident they knew who the victims were.

“This is a tragic crime and our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved,” Supt Coulson said in a statement.

“We are in contact with the families and will ensure that this is a thorough investigation as we try and understand what happened.”

The investigation into the fire is being conducted by the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit, which deals with major crime across five counties, alongside local officers in Lincolnshire.

Officers said on Tuesday the ferocity of the fire meant it would take several days to establish how it started.

Neighbours who witnessed the blaze in Peartree Road described how rapidly it had spread through the house after first igniting.

“We came out about 3.10am, and by 3.45am the whole of the top floor was ablaze,” Councillor David Danby, chairman of Kirton Parish Council told BBC News.

“The fire engines were there, the police were there, but I was overwhelmed by how quickly it took from one end of the house to the other to be totally engulfed.”

Police have appealed for anyone to come forward who has information on the occupants of the house, or anyone who was driving on or near the road just before the fire broke out.

Officers said they were in the process of contacting the next of kin of those who they believed had died in the blaze.