Police have confirmed that four people, including three children, have died in a house fire in Sanson, Manawatū.
Emergency services were called to the property, southwest of the town on State Highway 1, about 2.30pm Saturday. It was confirmed there were “several fatalities” from the blaze.
Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander said the bodies of two children were recovered from the scene this evening, and 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,” he said.
He said the family of the deceased were “devastated at the loss of their loved ones”.
Mayor says three kids among four dead in ‘terrible’ Manawatū blaze – Watch on TVNZ+
“They are thankful and very grateful for the support and concern they are receiving from the community.”
Grantham said investigators would tomorrow focus on recovering the third child, and completing a meticulous and thorough scene examination.
This tragedy has shocked not only the local community, but also many people across the country.
Police were not seeking anyone in relation to the fire.
A scene guard would remain in place overnight and investigators would return to the scene this morning.
Police said it would take time to work through “what is a pretty complex and hazardous scene” in Sanson. (Source: 1News)
Earlier today, Grantham said it would not be “a fast-moving operation; it will be methodical and take time to work through what is a pretty complex and hazardous scene”.
Grantham said there had been some concerns about the stability of the remaining structure and needed to ensure emergency service workers were safe to continue investigations.
He said police were also providing wrap-around support to the family and neighbours.
‘Devastating event’ – Mayor
Manawatū District Mayor Michael Ford told 1News it was a “devastating event” for the town, saying his heart went out to those involved.
Ford said Sanson was a “tight-knit community” filled with “a lot of caring people [and] good support”.
He said this was a terrible thing for everyone to go through.
Neighbour describes ‘quite upsetting’ scene
Neighbour Alan Parker, who lives approximately 300m from the property, told 1News some people he was working with “noticed some smoke coming from next door” yesterday.
“We all came outside to see what was happening and there was smoke billowing from behind the trees, which we quickly ascertained was our neighbour’s property.
“Within a few minutes of us seeing that, the fire brigade turned up. Several tenders turned up over the following two hours basically, trying to extinguish it.”
He said they could tell it was a “ferocious fire” as it was still burning an hour after they first noticed the smoke.
“We could tell from back here that it was going to be a catastrophic loss of the house, which is quite upsetting. Very upsetting. Feeling for the young family that we knew lived there.”
