A man killed in a house fire was stabbed in the heart on the night he died, an inquest heard.
Three people were found dead after the blaze in Kirton, Lincolnshire, on New Year's Day.
A senior detective said one of trio would have been arrested on suspicion of murder had he survived, Lincolnshire Live reports.
An inquest into the deaths heard Jay Edmunds, 27, Billy Hicks, 24, and Ashley Martin, 32, all perished in the inferno.
Mr Hicks had also been stabbed in the heart. Mr Martin would have been arrested on suspicion of murder if he had lived, police said.
They were identified using dental records.
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It is thought the fire was started deliberately - and reports at the time suggested a bitter love triangle could have caused the tragedy.
A source told The Sun police were looking into whether the suspect was part of a love trio with the two other dead people.
Emergency services were called to the property in the early hours of New Year's Day this year.
The blaze was so severe that parts of the building collapsed.
Coroner's officer David Stocking told the inquest opening that Jay Edmunds, who lived at the property, Billy Hicks and Ashley Martin were pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.
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The cause of death for Jay Edmunds was inhalation of smoke and products of combustion.
Billy Hicks died from inhalation of smoke and products of combustion, as well as stab wound to the heart.
Ashley Martin died from inhalation of smoke and products of combustion.
Detective Chief Inspector Karl Whiffen said that police received a call about a domestic incident at the property at 2.56am on January 1 during which it became clear there was a fire at the property.
He said: "At the time of the call five people were present at the address. Three of those people have deceased.
"The initial information was that the cause of the fire was deliberate ignition with the use of accelerants that led to a vapour explosion.
"The seat of the fire was a first floor front bedroom. It is believed that ay Edmunds was in the room and present with her were Billy Hicks and Ashley Martin.
"Had Ashley Martin survived the blaze he would have been arrested on suspicion of murder."
Coroner Paul Smith formally opened the inquest into their deaths on Monday, March 25 and adjourned proceedings for further inquiries until a final hearing that will be heard at a later date.
