In the quiet town of Defiance, Missouri, a heartbreaking incident has left the community in sorrow. An explosion at a home resulted in the tragic loss of two young boys, Julian Keiser, aged four, and Jamison Keiser, aged six.

The boys were at home because their school had canceled classes due to severe weather conditions. Tragically, they could not escape the burning house near Highway 94, just outside of St. Louis, before the flames claimed their lives early Friday morning.

Fortunately, their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the inferno and get to safety, as confirmed by officials and a GoFundMe page set up for the family.

A neighbor, Sharon Oberlag, reminisced about the boys’ bright spirits, saying, “They were the nicest little boys. They thought school was the coolest thing ever and they were so cute.” Julian and Jamison were at home the day of the explosion because schools had closed due to the cold weather.

When firefighters arrived, they found the house already engulfed in flames. Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District explained that they attempted to enter the house through a window to rescue the boys, but the intense fire hampered their efforts. Eventually, the boys’ bodies were found.

Oberlag heard the explosion from her home and mentioned the community’s swift response. “Thank God, we didn’t know we were going to lose the two little boys, but everyone came running to help,” she said, expressing the deep sorrow shared by all.

Neighboring residents Nick and Travis tried but were unable to save the boys. The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.

The house was owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, founded by Missouri natives David and Jerri Hoffmann. Their aim was to transform the area into the Midwest’s Napa Valley. In a statement, the company expressed their condolences: “Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren. As a family-run company, we are committed to supporting our staff and our community.”

The home was located near the Defiance RoadHouse, a bar and grill owned by Evelyn Turpiano. Jennifer Ham, Turpiano’s mother, had also managed the business for many years, as mentioned by Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance.

In response to the tragedy, Tripp launched a GoFundMe campaign that had raised over $145,000 by Monday morning. Both Evelyn and Jennifer are active members of the Defiance Merchants Association, which fosters local business and the regional wine industry.

The campaign page reflects on the boys’ joyous spirits, stating, “You will never forget how excited they were about life and how much joy they brought to everyone around them if you ever met the boys at the Defiance Roadhouse, the Christmas Festival, or the St. Patrick’s Day parade.”

The family now faces the daunting task of burying their young sons while also grappling with the loss of their home and belongings. The GoFundMe campaign emphasizes, “The family will need your prayers and emotional support as they grieve the loss of two special little boys in addition to your financial contributions.”

In a touching tribute, a neighbor named Laura Emerson placed a Christmas wreath on a water pump near the destroyed home, filling it with two plush animals to honor the boys. “Those boys appeared content. They were intelligent. They were happy. They were loved,” she shared with the press, remembering the light the boys brought to their lives.