Overview
- Emergency services were called to the Sanson, Manawatū blaze about 2:30pm Saturday, and police now confirm all four victims have been recovered.
- Police confirmed the adult who died was the children’s father, whom RNZ understands to be Dean Field, while the children were named on a Givealittle page as August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1.
- Investigators report that three victims were burned and the adult male was not; the cause of his death has not yet been determined.
- Scene examination is proceeding cautiously due to structural hazards and heavy dust, and police say it is too early to determine whether the fire was deliberately set.
- A Givealittle fundraiser for the mother has raised more than NZ$158,000, and family performed a karakia when two of the children’s bodies were recovered.