San on Hou e Fire: Tragedy and Givealittle Re pon e

When a house fire ripped through a quiet street in Sanson, New Zealand, on 15 November 2025, it took more than just a building — it took four lives and left a community grasping for answers. Police quickly identified the victims as three young children and their father, and within hours a Givealittle campaign had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s what we know — and what remains unclear.

Children killed: 3 ·
Total donated (Give a Little): $427,225 ·
Donors: 10,810 ·
Date of fire: 15 November 2025

Five key facts, one pattern: the official record is sparse on the cause but clear on the toll — four lives ended on a Saturday afternoon in a rural town.

What happened in the Sanson house fire?

Details of the fire

• The fire broke out around 2:30pm on Saturday 15 November 2025 at a residential property in Sanson, Manawatū (1News New Zealand news outlet).
• Emergency services responded, but four people were found dead at the scene (NZ Police official statement).

Emergency response

• Fire crews extinguished the blaze and police began a scene examination that lasted several days (NZ Police).
• On 18 November, police announced they were treating the fire as a homicide (1News).

The pattern: a small-town tragedy that escalated quickly from fire response to potential criminal case, with police moving cautiously while the public fundraised.

Who were the victims of the Sanson fire?

August

• August James Field, 7 years old (NZ Police name release).

Hugo

• Hugo John Field, 5 years old (NZ Police).

Goldie

• Goldie May Iris Field, 1 year old (NZ Police).

• All three were siblings. Their father, Dean Michael Field, 36, was also found dead at the scene (NZ Police; 1News report).

The implication: a family of four died in a single event — three young children and their father — leaving a mother who was not at home.

Who are the parents of the children killed in the Sanson fire?

Mother

• The mother, identified only as Chelsea on the Givealittle page, was not at home during the fire. Her full name has not been officially released by police or media.

Father

• Police officially named the father as Dean Michael Field, 36, who died in the fire (NZ Police).

What this means: while the father has been publicly identified, the mother’s identity remains private, reflecting the ongoing sensitivity of the case.

What is the Give a Little fundraiser for the Sanson fire mother?

How much has been raised?

• A Givealittle page set up for the children’s mother, Chelsea, had raised over $427,000 from more than 10,800 donors as of late November 2025 (1News; Stuff.co.nz news media).
• The campaign description called it “a mother’s worst nightmare, grieving the loss of her three babies, tragically taken too soon” (Give a Little crowdfunding platform).

How to donate?

• The Givealittle page remains active. Donations can be made directly through the Give a Little website by searching for the Sanson fire fundraiser (Give a Little).

The trade-off: while crowdfunding provides immediate financial relief, it also puts a grieving family in the public eye, with every update scrutinized by thousands.

What are the latest updates on the Sanson house fire?

Funeral service

• On 25 November 2025, hundreds of mourners attended a farewell for August, Hugo, and Goldie, with attendees asked to wear bright colours (1News report).

Community support

• Local residents organised a candlelight