Henrico fire fatal to two half brothers

Two half brothers who died from injuries suffered in a fire at their eastern Henrico County home Friday night were the only ones home, their sister said last night.

Asheli Nadine Black, 18, declined to discuss a possible cause of the fire, which remains under investigation by authorities. She identified the two victims as her brother, Ashton I. Black, a 16-year-old sophomore at Henrico High School, and their half brother Aaron D. Brown, a 9-year-old third-grader at the Virginia Randolph Education Center.

"We, the Black-Brown family, would like to ask that you keep us in your prayers as we go through this trying time," Black said.

Yellow caution tape surrounded the yard of the home at the corner of Johnson Road and Oak Hill Lane off Mechanicsville Turnpike yesterday. Firefighters responded Friday about 8 p.m. and found the home engulfed in flames.

"We are still putting information together," said Capt. Chris Buehren of the Henrico Fire Department. "It's still a very active investigation."

Ashton died from injuries Friday night. Aaron spent much of yesterday in critical condition at VCU Medical Center before he died late in the afternoon.

Ashton and Aaron lived at the home with their parents and another brother, said Black, 18, and a 2009 graduate of Henrico High. She described Aaron as a sweet boy who loved SpongeBob SquarePants.

"He was just loving and caring, and loved his older brother Ashton," she said.

Ashton was looking forward to getting his driver's license. He had played baseball with the Highland Springs Little League when he was younger and was developing talent as a singer. He was a member of two choirs at school, she said.

"He had a strong, tenor voice," Black said, adding that he was outgoing and "loved to keep people laughing."

The family's pit bull, Diamond, also died in the fire. The family, which attends Little Elam Baptist Church in Charles City County, is planning a vigil, but details were unavailable.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .

Contact Tammie Smith at (804) 649-6572 or .