Autopsies on the bodies of the two dead family members were also underway and Mr McKay said police would release their names when the identification process was finished, "hopefully later this evening".
Last night a Givealittle page to help them went online and by this afternoon 79 people had donated more than $2000.
Family friend Christine Rapana, from the Nga Whanau Ora charity, set up the page and said she was delighted with the response to far.
"That's awesome, people are kind," she said.
"[The money's] for everything really. They've got everything to put back together. They've got two tangi, they've got travel and all kinds of stuff to pay for."
Mrs Rapana has not set a fundraising target and she said it was too early to talk to the family about financial specifics after the "terrible tragedy".
Some of the children attended local schools, Central Normal, Monrad Intermediate and Queen Elizabeth College, and Mrs Rapana said people were dropping off donations of food and goods there.
The Givealittle page says the family is "in need of everything".
"They are a big family, which consists of 9 kids at home. They also have two funerals to organise as well as losing everything, so even if you only donate a little but, every cent and item will help.
"The nine fire survivors required medical attention for a range of minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
A 21-year-old man remains in Palmerston North Hospital's general ward in a stable condition.Support services are helping family members.
