Niamh Shackleton
A family have been left devastated after two young brothers died side-by-side in a house fire.
William Brice, six, and three-year-old Zachariah died last week after their family home in North Virginia erupted into flames.
The two boys were at home with their grandparents at the time, as well as big brother Logan, eight, when the fire started on April 10.
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While the grandparents and Logan safely made it out of the burning property, William and Zachariah did not.
The two brothers were found huddled together, and tragically died four days later from smoke inhalation.
When they were found next to each other, it appeared as if William had been shielding his younger sibling from the flames.
William and Zachariah were unresponsive for 45 minutes after firefighters pulled them out of the burning building and, while there wasn't too much external damage to the boys, they were later declared brain dead as a result of the smoke inhalation.
“They told us that when William and Zach were found, William was actually covering and protecting Zachariah like a shield,” their dad, James Brice, told PEOPLE.
"We knew that to be his character because that’s just who he is. He, himself, is a hero."
William was found wearing his Captain America T-shirt at the time.
James went on to speak of the two youngsters' special bond, explaining: "Zachariah was always following William everywhere and William was so proud. He would tell everyone, 'That’s my baby brother'."
The Brice family have since chosen to donate their sons organs to other children in need.
James continued: "We are balancing the grief of missing them and at the same time proud that our six-year-old made such a heroic choice.
"Through the organ donations, we are also hopeful that another family will get to experience a miracle thanks to our boys."
Prior to their donation surgeries, William and Zachariah were wheeled into a hallway of the hospital and received a 'Walk of Honor' where their family and hospital staff lined up to applaud them.
The two boys went into the operating theater side-by-side.
Speaking to WUSA9, Jecoliah Daniels of Infinite Legacy, a non-profit which facilitates organ and tissue donation, said: "They were both able to be in the operating theater around the same time so that they could save lives together. They were able to have this honor walk together. Brothers together until the end, and their legacy lives on."
She added that the combination of both William and Zachariah's donations could 'save up to nine lives'.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.