Funeral for three children killed in Sanson fire, mother releases first public statement

The details of the funeral for the three young children killed in a Sanson house fire have been released.

The service is to be a day filled with colour as family and friends come together to celebrate the siblings’ lives.

August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1, were killed in a fire on Saturday at the family’s home in the Manawatū town.

Their father, Dean Field, was also found dead at the scene. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide.

In a funeral notice posted by Beauchamp Funeral Home, the date of the “celebration of life” for the children was announced.

The service is set to take place on Tuesday, November 25.

August, Hugo and Goldie, the three children who died in the Sanson fire on Saturday. Photo / Givealittle

“Three beautiful angels taken too soon,” the notice said. “Will be sadly missed by their mum Chelsey, grandparents, Lindy, Ron (deceased), Florence, and Michael and Mary; and all those who knew them.

“United with big sister Iris in heaven. Loved beyond measure.”

Friends and family are invited to attend the service at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North from 11am.

Guests are asked to wear bright colours.

‘My babies were my absolute world’

The children’s mother, Chelsey Field, spoke for the first time this morning about the incident that left her “heartbroken and devastated”.

In her first public statement, Field revealed that she also lost her pet dog, Marlo, and the ashes of her stillborn baby daughter, Iris, in the blaze.

She went on to share some memories of her beloved children and the impact they had on her and their community.

“August, Hugo and Goldie were taken from me and all those who love them in the most horrible of circumstances, but I do not want their deaths to define the important, beautiful lives that they lived,” she said.

“My babies were my absolute world.”

Goldie at eight days old with her mother, Chelsey.

Field said she had been a stay-at-home mother since having Hugo in 2020.

“I enjoyed so much quality time with them; trips to gymnastics, music groups, playgroups and play dates with friends. We had so much fun together and many holidays away. I will forever cherish all these special memories.”

She said August had been looking forward to celebrating his eighth birthday at Timezone next Thursday with his best friends.

In the statement, Field clarified that she and Dean were not separated at the time of the fire. They were still married and living together at the Sanson property.

To close the statement, she extended her sincere thanks to the many thousands of people around New Zealand who had “been so generous during this difficult time”.

Field’s friends set up a Givealittle donation page for her on Sunday to create a “safety net for her” and to “provide her with the space and security needed to grieve in solitude, without the added stress of financial ruin”.

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