CONTENT WARNING: Mention of mental health and suicide.

Police are investigating the deaths of a father and his three children following a house fire in Manawatū and are treating the case as a suspected triple murder-suicide

Dean Field died in the blaze which engulfed a house in Sanson on Saturday afternoon.

According to New Zealand news site Stuff, police are looking into the possibility that he killed his children, August, Hugo, and Goldie, aged seven, five, and one, before taking his own life.

While two of the children’s bodies were recovered from the property on Sunday evening, police confirmed on Monday that the third child’s body was also found.

Earlier reports indicated that police were exploring whether the fire was deliberately started. Police have confirmed that they are not seeking any other individuals in connection with the incident.

It is understood that Mr Field and the children’s mother, who both lived at the property, were splitting up.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham told media that the adult male was not burned in the fire, although the children were. He declined to elaborate on the circumstances of Mr Field’s death.

Investigators are working to uncover the reasons behind this tragic event. Postmortems on all four deceased are planned for this week.

“I know the community have lots of questions about this case, as do we,” Insp. Grantham said. “But at this stage, we’re still working to determine the intent and circumstances around the incident, and have yet to rule it a homicide.”

Insp. Grantham said family members were present to bless two of the children’s bodies with traditional karakia as they were removed from the scene on Sunday evening. A thorough and careful examination of the scene is ongoing.

“This tragedy has shocked not only the local community, but also many people across the country,” he added. “Our investigators remain determined to find answers to as many questions as we can.”

Friends of the family launched a Givealittle page called “A mother’s worst nightmare” to support the grieving mother. They described the children as “the light and love of her life” and said her world has been “shattered.”

“Our dear friend has suffered the sudden, 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,” they wrote, expressing deep gratitude for the vast support from the community.

“She is facing the hardest journey possible, stripped of her physical security while navigating the deepest emotional pain,” the friend said.