A Facebook troll has been accused of trying to cash in on a murder-suicide house fire by setting up a fake funeral fundraising page in the name of the victim's mother.
Billy Hicks, 24, was one of the three killed in the New Year's Day fire in Kirton, Lancashire, which also claimed the life of his ex-girlfriend Jay Edmunds, 27.
Today, a Facebook account set up in the name of Mr Hicks's mother, Rose, posted a link to a 'Billy Hicks Funeral Fund' on the website Go Get Funding.
This comment underneath a post by a friend of Billy Hicks sparked concerns the tragedy is being exploited by a troll for money. The Facebook account that linked the page is in the name of his mother, Rose Hicks, but does not appear to be a genuine profile. Grab taken today
The account (pictured today) uses the same profile photo as Mrs Hick's genuine page, but has never posted anything and does not have a friends list or any other information attached to it
As of 2pm today, the fundraising total on the page stood at £101 out of a £5,000 target
That Facebook account uses the same profile photo as Mrs Hicks's actual page, but has never posted anything and does not have a friends list or any other information.
As of 2pm today, the fundraising total on the page stood at £101 out of a £5,000 target. It was later pulled down, and MailOnline has contacted police for comment.
Jay Edmunds, 27, died in the New Year's Day house fire in Kirton, Lincolnshire
Joanne Heaton, who is believed to be Mr Hicks's sister, posted on Facebook: 'Some sick person has pretended to start a donation page for Billy on Go Get Funding. Please do not donate - it's a scam.'
Debz Wilson added: 'I'm absolutely appalled by this despicable human being. I've reported both pages.'
Fire victim Miss Edmunds had split up with long term partner Mr Hicks a year ago and shortly before he lost his beloved father.
But the couple remained close friends even though both moved onto new relationships, friends said today.
A third man aged 32 also died in the fire which destroyed the £340,000 home owned and rented out by Miss Edmunds's parents, former pub chef Paul and his wife Donna, both 54.
Lincolnshire Police will not say who the killer is in the 'domestic related' murder which is still being investigated. Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
But a jealous 'psycho' lover or ex is said to have sparked the inferno after first stabbing the two victims before dying too.
Billy Hicks, 24, was named by former colleagues as one of the three people killed in the blaze
A forensic investigator at the scene yesterday after the devastating fire in Kirton, Lincolnshire
The bodies were burned beyond recognition and were identified by dental records.
Survivor Natalie Hall, who escaped the ferocious flames at the large detached house by jumping from a bedroom window, told how a jealous 'complete psycho' had ignited the property in a fit of rage.
A neighbour said the horror begun when a male carrying a jerry can of petrol shouted 'If I can't have you no one else will' before setting it ablaze.
Detectives are investigating the possibility that a love triangle row fuelled the 3.15am bloodshed which has shocked and saddened neighbours.
Paul and Donna Edmunds, who have a son Liam sharing the house and now live in Devon, are said to be 'totally numbed and devastated' by the tragedy.
Natalie Hall (left) is thought to have escaped after jumping from a top floor bedroom – and only suffered a leg injury. Rachel Braim (right), a Police Community Support Officer, also escaped
A friend of Billy and Jay's named only as Liam said: 'This is a crazy situation and unbelievable. Our hearts are broken. They were a lovely couple, on off and he hoped back on.
'They'd been together for years and both worked at Jay's parents' pub but split up last January. They stayed mates but moved on with new partners.
'We heard that Billy's latest girlfriend had given him the elbow just before Christmas. He was upset and still grieving over his dad's death and really hoped he and Jay could make it work again.'
Liam, 23, who declined to be fully identified, added: 'But Jay had been seeing someone else.
The fire at the £350,000 property (above) is being treated as a 'domestic related' murder
'It was all a bit complicated because she still cared for Billy, they'd been together for ages before splitting.
'No one knows what happened in the house, it's sickening, and who killed who and there's all these rumours going round and it's horrible and police won't say anything.'
A heartbroken friend of both mobile phone customer adviser Mr Hicks and Miss Edmunds posted a heartfelt tribute to them on Facebook.
Lyndon Stark wrote: 'Rest in peace Billy Hicks. Shared some laughs back in the days. You're back with your dad safe from this sh***y world. Until we meet again sleep tight.'
He added: 'Rest in peace Jay Edmunds. Thinking of all the families involved. If I can do anything to help do not refuse to ask.'
Rhys Jones simply posted: 'Some very sad news just received. My work bestie Jay. Going to miss you millions. RIP beautiful.'
The manager at the Black Bill pub in Kirton, which Mr Hicks and Miss Edmunds used to visit, said: 'It is dreadful news and we are so sorry to hear about their deaths.
'They often popped in for a drink and seemed like a lovely young couple. They were known by many in the community and everyone's taking about the tragedy.'
Police launched the probe following the huge fire at the house (pictured on Wednesday)
A local beauty shop, Sylvia's Salon, is collecting clothes and personal items for the two survivors of the blaze, Miss Hall and Rachel Braim, who lost everything.
A note on the window reads: 'Any donations to the victims of the Kirton fire can be dropped off here at the salon. Thank you.'
A beautician, who was at school with Billy, said: 'This is truly shocking and we as a business just wanted to do something to help the community.
'Three people lost their lives and two girls who survived have lost everything they own in that fire. We are asking people to donate clothes and essentials to give to them.'
The victims in the blaze at the detached home (pictured on Wednesday) were 24, 27 and 32
Mr Hicks worked as a bar team leader at the Spirit of Endeavour in Boston from April 2015 to June 2017.
Girlfriend Miss Edmunds, a childhood sweetheart, also helped out at the pub run by her parents.
The couple split up in January last year and weeks later Mr Hicks lost his father Derek Hicks, which friends say 'both broke his heart'.
He posted on social media: 'Rest in peace dad. I'll love you forever' with a heart & sad face emojis.
Two people taken to hospital after the fire at the house (above, Wednesday) were discharged
While Miss Edmunds later moved on with a fresh partner, Mr Hicks started dating Lisha Lowe.
He posted a celebratory tribute to his
