Two brothers have been charged with murder after leaving their grandmother to die in a house fire even though they managed to rescue their meth equipment.

Justin Gause, 21, and his 33-year-old brother, Jarrett, from upstate New York, stand accused of second-degree murder after leaving their 82-year-old grandmother, Gladys Ann Willow, to die.

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker told WETM that the brothers removed the equipment before going to buy cigarettes and didn't report the blaze.

Justin Gause, 21, (right) and his 33-year-old brother, Jarrett, (left) from upstate New York, stand accused of second-degree murder after leaving their 82-year-old grandmother, Gladys Ann Willow, to die

The brothers are also facing multiple charges of reckless endangerment over every firefighter who attended the fire as well as tampering with evidence.

Jarrett was arrested last week and remains in custody whereas Justin is out on bail.

Gladys died from injuries she suffered while trapped in the burning building in Elmira, New York.

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker told WETM that the brothers removed the equipment before going to buy cigarettes and didn't report the blaze. Pictured is the house in Elmira, New York

Gladys (pictured) died from injuries she suffered while trapped in the burning building

The brothers were initially charged with manslaughter but were upgraded to second-degree murder because of the severity of their reckless behaviour.

Investigators later found out that the house had been the site of a makeshift meth factory.

Both siblings are set to be arraigned at a later date.