Minnesota siblings killed in Ohio house fire while visiting family

COLUMBUS, Ohio (KMSP) - An inseparable 10- and 12-year-old brother and sister from Minnesota were killed in a house fire while visiting family in Ohio on Tuesday.

Authorities said the fire that broke out just before 6 a.m. on Walmar Drive on the north side of Columbus appears to be accidental. Twelve-year-old Kathryn Foster and 10-year-old Aaron Foster were visiting their grandmother and their aunt, 23-year-old Anastasia Amatulli.

Both of their parents were home in Minnesota when they found out their children had died. Family members said the two were best friends and both attended Cyber Village Academy, a charter school in St. Paul.

Fox 28 reported the flames started in the basement near Amatulli's son's space heater. Her son, Ryan, ran to tell his mom and cousins before escaping through the back door. Amatulli said she jumped out of her back bedroom window.

Neighbors were unable to break down the front door to save the children. Kathryn’s body was found in the hallway, and Aaron’s was found a foot away from the front door.

Police said it was unclear if there were working smoke detectors in the home.

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