2 Young Brothers Die in House Fire

An early morning fire Saturday killed two young brothers who may have tried to find safety in a bathroom at their San Bernardino home, authorities said.

The bodies of Aaron Ashley, 2, and his brother, Don, 4, were found about 1:20 a.m. in a rear bedroom’s bathroom. One boy was in the shower and the other about three feet away next to the sink, but neither was burned, said Battalion Chief Howard Bennett of the San Bernardino City Fire Department.

“When we lose two little kids like that, it’s especially hard,” he said.

Fire officials said they believe the blaze started just before 1 a.m. in the rear master bedroom. The smell of smoke woke up a family friend, who was watching the children while their mother was at a neighbor’s house.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials have ruled out the family’s Christmas tree. Damage was estimated at about $40,000 to the house and $10,000 to the contents.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the boys’ cause of death.