LANTZVILLE, B.C. — The RCMP say two young brothers killed in a house fire on the Nanoose First Nation on Vancouver Island had been moved out of their own home to avoid the danger of falling trees in a wind storm.

Constable Garry O'Brien says the boys, aged seven and 10, were sleeping in the home in Lantzville, near Nanaimo, while two other children and two adults were sleeping in other rooms when the fire broke out about 5 a.m. today.

He says the homeowners tired to put out the fire but failed before escaping with two of the children and were unable to save the brothers because of the rapidly spreading flames.

O'Brien says one of the adults was hospitalized for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation and the second was also treated for minor smoke inhalation, while the two children who were saved were not injured.

He says the fire is considered accidental and foul play is not suspected, but an investigation is continuing with the B.C. Coroner's Service.