The house in Defiance, Missouri, exploded on Friday morning, tragically killing two young boys, Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6. Their school had canceled classes due to extreme weather, leaving them at home when the explosion occurred. Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape safely.

Firefighters arrived but couldn’t reach the boys in time due to the intense flames. “The fire prevented them from being found right away,” stated Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District. Neighbor Sharon Oberlag, who heard the explosion, described the boys as “the nicest little boys,” adding, “They thought school was the coolest thing ever.”

The Hoffmann Family of Companies, the building’s owners, expressed their condolences: “Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren.”

A GoFundMe campaign for the family has raised over $145,000. Dan Tripp, a co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, started the campaign, noting that both women were active in the Defiance Merchants Association. The family will need support for the funerals and the loss of their home.

Neighbor Laura Emerson placed a Christmas wreath on the destroyed house, saying, “Those boys appeared content. They were intelligent. They were happy. They were loved.”

The entire community of Defiance, Missouri is reeling from the tragic explosion that took the lives of two young boys, Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6. With school canceled due to extreme weather, the boys were at home with their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, when the explosion occurred. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the intense flames prevented them from reaching the boys in time.

Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District described the heartbreaking situation, stating, “The fire prevented them from being found right away.” Neighbor Sharon Oberlag, who knew the boys well, described them as “the nicest little boys,” highlighting their love for school and joyful personalities.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies, the owners of the building, shared their condolences for the tragic loss, expressing their support for the family during this difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign started by Dan Tripp, a member of the community, has raised over $145,000 to support the family with funeral expenses and the loss of their home.

As the community comes together to mourn the loss of Julian and Jamison, neighbors like Laura Emerson are finding ways to honor their memory. Laura placed a Christmas wreath on the site of the destroyed house, reflecting on the joy and love that the boys brought to those around them. She shared, “Those boys appeared content. They were intelligent. They were happy. They were loved.”

The tragic events in Defiance have left a deep impact on the entire community, as they come to terms with the loss of two young lives. The outpouring of support and generosity from neighbors and strangers alike is a testament to the love and compassion that exists in times of tragedy. The memories of Julian and Jamison will live on in the hearts of those who knew them, as they are remembered for their infectious smiles and kind spirits.