Sanson tragedy: Family, friends gather to farewell three children killed in tragic house fire

Friends and family members of three children killed in a Sanson house fire are gathering to farewell them at a funeral in Palmerston North today.

August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1, were killed in a fire on Saturday, November 15, at the family’s home in the Manawatū town.

The family are inviting those who have supported them through the past fortnight join them in person, via the livestream or in prayer to celebrate the lives of the children.

They requested everyone to wear bright, cheerful colours.

“Wherever you are in the world, let’s make the day as full of light as they were.”

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Crossroads Church in Palmerston North from 11am and will be livestreamed.

In a funeral notice posted on its website, Beauchamp Funeral Home encouraged attendees to “wear bright colours” to celebrate the lives of the three children.

“Three beautiful angels taken too soon,” it 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.”

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

Goldie (Eight days old) and Chelsey.

‘My babies were my absolute world’

The children’s mother, Chelsey Field, spoke for the first time last Friday 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.

Hugo and August with Goldie. The children died in a Sanson fire on Saturday, November 15. Photo / Givealittle

“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.”

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.”

Hugo (at 12 months) and Chelsey.

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”.

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