A thought experiment about lying.

This comes from the parable of the burning house. Let's say there is a house that is on fire with children inside. You tell them the house is on fire and to get out of the house. The children continue playing in the house. You try to go into the house and save the children. The fire prevents you from going in the house. You lie to the children that you have toys outside to save them from the fire and they come out. When they come out you tell them the truth afterward about the fire and that there are no toys.

Is lying in this case sinful? If so why?

Can lying in this case be virtuous? If so why?