Investigators say that the fire that killed two young boys at a Vancouver Island First Nations reserve was likely an accident.

The blaze broke out just before 5 a.m. Wednesday at a home on Snaw'Naw‘As First Nation land near Lantzville, a small coastal community located just north of Nanaimo.

Two brothers -- identified by family members as seven-year-old Devon and nine-year-old Jordan Drake -- perished in the blaze.

The serious crimes unit of the Nanaimo RCMP examined the scene and say that foul play is not suspected.

In a tragic twist, police say that the two victims were brought to the house Tuesday night because high winds and falling trees had led to concerns about their safety in their family home.

Family friend Willie Hawkins described the two dead boys as "great kids."

"The youngest one, he was always kind of a tough little guy," he told CTV News.

"The other, he was kind of the soft-hearted guy -- always there to help you."

Two other children and two adults were in the home at the time of the blaze and managed to escape. Mounties say the adults were awoken by the sound of their fire alarm and the smell of smoke. They tried to put out the fire but failed, and were unable to save the brothers.

Multiple crews from the Lantzville Fire Department attended, and managed to suppress the fire by 8 a.m. The home was obliterated in the blaze, and the residents lost everything they owned, including two cars.

The two rescued children were not affected by the fire, while one adult was treated for burns and smoke inhalation and the other for minor smoke inhalation. All four survivors have been released from hospital.

Nanaimo Mounties, First Nations police officers and RCMP Victim Services are assisting with the family and local band members.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but a local First Nations chief told CTV News that a tree fell on a hydro line Tuesday night, cutting power to the area, and those connected to the family say there may have been lit candles inside the home.

The residents of the ruined home did not have insurance. Anyone interested in donating clothing or other goods can contact the Tsow-Tun Le Lum treatment centre in Lantzville at 250-390-3123.

With files from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander