The Charlotte Observer
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An uprooted tree fell onto a North Carolina home, killing 11- and 13-year-old brothers, firefighters said.
The boys were “trapped in their bedroom” after the tree came crashing down in the mountain town of Brevard, according to Connestee Fire Rescue Inc.
Firefighters were called just after 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 16. At the scene, crews noticed that a tree measuring about 3 feet in diameter had fallen through the middle of a family’s residential trailer.
“The surviving members of this family indicated there were two children trapped in their bedroom,” the fire department wrote in a news release. “Firefighters were able to locate two juveniles trapped directly under the tree and other debris.”
The boys, identified as brothers, died from their injuries, Fire Chief Chase Owen told McClatchy News in a phone interview. First responders later pulled their bodies from the home.
“Connestee Fire Rescue would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two individuals,” the fire department wrote. “We would also like to thank all of the agencies and companies which assisted with this unfortunate event.”
Three other family members managed to get out of the trailer safely. One firefighter suffered a minor injury while responding to the scene, the department said.
The boys’ deaths are considered storm related. Over the weekend, forecasters had predicted severe weather with the potential for strong winds, isolated tornadoes and hail in the mountains.
Brevard is in Transylvania County, a roughly 35-mile drive southwest from Asheville.
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