Police believe a python from a reptile store killed two young children in Campbellton, New Brunswick.

CAMPBELLTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA (AUGUST 5, 2013) (CBC) -  Two young brothers found dead in an apartment over a reptile store in New Brunswick,Canada, were believed to have been strangled by a snake that escaped its enclosure and slithered into the building's ventilation system, police said on Monday (August 5).

"The preliminary investigation has led the police to believe the python snake had escaped his enclosure at the store sometime overnight and got into the ventilation system then into an upstairs apartment. It is believed two boys were strangled by the snake," Tremblay said.

"The snake was captured and is in the possession of the RCMP right now," added Tremblay.

Reptile Ocean did not respond to a request for comment. On its official Facebook page the retailer calls itself "an exotic pet store open to the public for purchase and viewing".

Autopsies on the boys were planned for Tuesday.