The best friend of one of the three children killed in a Sanson house fire has told mourners today he wished he had a magic playing card to reverse the whole tragedy.
Friends and family members of three siblings killed in the fire gathered to farewell them at a funeral in Palmerston North today.
August, Hugo and Goldie Field, aged 7, 5 and 1, were killed in a fire on Saturday, November 15, at the family’s home in the Manawatū town.
The ceremony took place at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North and was livestreamed with the family’s permission.
A message from the family on the Givealittle page to raise funds for the mother, Chelsey Field, invited those who knew the children to celebrate their lives today.
“We want to again thank you all for the continued support shown through donations and kind messages for our friend Chelsey and her family.
“Whether you will be joining us in person, via the livestream, or in prayer on Tuesday to celebrate the lives of August, Hugo, and Goldie, we would love everyone to wear bright, cheerful colours.
“Wherever you are in the world, let’s make the day as full of light as they were.”
In a funeral notice posted on its website, the Beauchamp Funeral Home also 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.
The church was packed with mourners in brightly coloured clothing, as the family requested.
The three small coffins were adorned with bright flowers and three different shades of paint: blue for August, green for Hugo and pink for Goldie.
August’s coffin was decorated with pictures of footballs and football jerseys, Hugo’s featured dinosaurs while Goldie’s had flowers and princesses.
There was also a white chest for beloved pet dog Marlo.
Mum Chelsey Field, her gaze firmly fixed on three coffins throughout the service, had her words read to the congregation, recounting special memories of each child.
She first shared memories of August, his love for football and rugby, drum lessons, Minecraft and using the farming simulator on the PlayStation.
He loved fishing and helping on the farm, Field said.
Hugo was a sweet, kind, caring boy who idolised his big brother.
“And Hugo had a huge obsession for dinosaurs from a very young age. I quickly had to learn the names of all dinosaurs when I was reading his favourite books.
“He gave everything and everything a go.”
Just like his big brother, he loved riding motorbikes, building huts, sand pits and fishing.
Goldie was remembered as a happy, smiley baby. She had four teeth on her birthday last month and had only just started pulling herself up, not yet walking.
“My little darlings will know that I loved them always,” Field said.
“We had so much fun together.
“We made so many great memories that I will cherish forever.
“I will miss you three so much.
“And you will know that your mum loves you forever and ever.”
Eldest son August’s best friend Levi, with his mum Dani alongside, spoke about the boys’ special friendship and the sleepover that would never happen.
“I stand here with a heavy heart, but also with the deepest love and honour to speak about three of the most beautiful children this world has ever known, August, Hugo and Goldie.
“Children who were bright, kind, funny, full of spark, children who should still be here with us today.”
Dani said a letter recently penned by August was now one of the most important things she owned, asking for a sleepover that they never got to do.
“On that same letter were stickers Hugo had added, some little scribbly pictures from Goldie and two Hot Wheels cars. A whole piece of their family all together.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to do that sleepover at our house, but I am so grateful and so honoured that you felt safe enough to ask me. That you trusted me and you wanted that special time with Levi, and that will always stay with me.”
In the week before their deaths, the children spent every afternoon at her house. She said it was “peaceful and perfect”, and she could never have imagined what would happen on that Saturday.
Dani finished with a message to the people across the country who supported her friend.
“Every message, every donation, every hand on your back, every tear shed alongside yours, you have been carried by thousands. Thousands who see you, who care for you and who will continue to hold you through what comes next. This outpouring of love is a reflection of you, the mum that you are, the friend you are and the woman you are, and the incredible children who touched so many hearts in their short time here.”
In a special written message read out by his mother, Levi said he wished he had a card to bring back his friend.
“You are my best friend. I loved spending lots of time with you, Hugo and Goldie. I loved playing football with you, and I also loved having play dates with you at our houses.
“I wish I had a magic Uno reverse card so I could reverse this whole thing.
“I will miss all of the fun moments playing together with you guys. I am so sad that this happened, but I am so lucky to have spent so much time with you all. Love you.”
Musician Stan Walker also sent a video message which was played at the funeral.
It featured a short message before he performed his song, Bigger, one of the children’s favourites.
The children’s mum 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.
“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.”
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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