A community has come together to support a grieving mother, following the loss of her three young children in a Manawatu house fire in New Zealand.
The three children who tragically died have been identified on a fundraising page, created by one of the woman’s close friends.
August, Hugo and Goldie died alongside their father, Dean Field, following a house fire at the Sanson property. According to a neighbour, the children – two boys and a girl – were aged 1, 5, and 7.
Emergency services were called to the fire at about 2.30pm on Saturday, and police confirmed they had recovered the bodies of two of the children on Sunday night.
Police said they would continue to locate the body of the third child on Monday morning.
It has been reported that police are investigating if the fire was deliberately lit and have said they are not looking for anyone in connection with it.
According to local outlet, Stuff, Field is in the middle of separating with the children’s mother.
On the fundraising page titled “A mother’s worst nightmare”, her friend wrote that one of her “dear friends has suffered the sudden and unbearable loss of her three beloved children”.
“They were the light and love of her life, and her entire world has been shattered.
“In the midst of this unimaginable grief, she also lost her home and everything she owned. She is facing the hardest journey possible, stripped of her physical security while navigating the deepest emotional pain.”
The woman said she had set up the page to “create a safety net” for the children’s mother, to allow her to “grieve in solitude, without the additional financial stress”.
“We cannot mend her broken heart, but we can wrap her in community support. Please join us in offering this gift of peace and practical help during this darkest time,” she continued.
As of Monday afternoon, a total of over NZ$178,000 (AU$154,642) was raised, exceeding the goal of NZ$100,000 (AU$86,878).
Manawatu area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said that after the bodies of the two children were recovered on Sunday evening, the ” “family was present during this time to bless them with karakia”.
“Work is ongoing to locate the body of a third child, while the body of an adult has already been removed, Grantham continued.
“The family of the deceased are devastated at the loss of their loved ones.
“They are thankful and very grateful for the support and concern they are receiving from the community.”
He added that investigators would focus on recovering the third child and completing a thorough scene examination on Monday.
“This tragedy has shocked not only the local community, but also many people across the country,” Grantham said.
“Our investigators remain determined to find answers to as many questions as we can.”
Image: Give A Little
