A house in the small village of Defiance, Missouri exploded, killing two young children. Due to the extreme weather, the school canceled their classes, so they were at home.
Before Julian Keiser, four, and Jamison Keiser, six, could escape the burning house near Interstate 94, just outside of St. Louis, or were rescued, died early Friday morning.
Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape and get to safety, according to officials and the GoFundMe page.
Neighbor Sharon Oberlag told the news source that “they were the nicest little boys.” “They were so cute and thought school was the coolest thing ever.
Because their school canceled classes to protect the children from the cold, Jaiden, who had just started kindergarten, and Julian were at home when the bomb went off, she added.
Firefighters were unable to reach the victims in time because the house was already on fire when they arrived.
According to New Melle County Fire Chief Dan Casey, the smoke eaters got in through a window and were looking for the boy.
According to Casey, “They weren’t able to find them right away because of the fire.” The boys’ bodies were later discovered.
Oberlag told KMOV that she heard an explosion-like sound coming from the residence.
“God, we had no idea we were going to lose two little boys, but everyone rushed to help. What happened is tragic,” she told reporters.
Oberlag continued, “They tried to capture the neighbor’s boys, Nick and Travis, but they didn’t succeed. It’s terrible.”
The cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation.
The building was owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based business founded by Missourians David and Jerri Hoffmann. According to the Post-Dispatch, the Hoffmans bought a nearby winery and restaurant to turn the region into the Napa Valley of the Midwest.
A company statement was released Friday, saying, “Our hearts go out to our team member and his family who have lost their children and grandchildren.” “As a family business, we care about our community and want to help our employees.”
According to the news source, the boys’ mother owned a Turpiano bar and grill called Defiance RoadHouse, which was located next door to the residence.
Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, told the Post-Dispatch that Jennifer Ham, Turpiano’s mother, also operated for many years.
He created a GoFundMe campaign for Tripp’s family, which has raised over $145,000 as of Monday morning. He mentioned that both women belong to the Defiance Merchants Association, an organization that supports the regional wine industry.
According to them, “If you’ve ever met the boys at the Defiance Roadhouse, the Christmas Festival, or the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, you’ll never forget how excited they were about life and how much joy they brought to everyone around them.”
The family will have to pay for two funerals in addition to losing their home and everything they own. It read: “Along with your money, the family will need your prayers and emotional support as they grieve the loss of two special little boys.”
A neighbor named Laura Emerson stopped to place her Christmas wreath on a water pump near the destroyed home. She hung the wreath after stuffing it with two stuffed animals.
“Those guys were happy. They were intelligent.
They were happy. She told the newspaper: “They were loved.”Â
The tragic loss of Julian and Jamison Keizer has left the small community of Defiance, Missouri struggling with grief. As details surrounding the explosion and fire continue to emerge, the memories of these two young boys resonate deeply with those who knew them. Neighbors and family describe them as joyful spirits, full of life and excitement, whose absence will be sorely felt in their homes and the community at large.
The outpouring of support through the GoFundMe campaign demonstrates the strength and compassion of the community during this difficult time. With more than $145,000 raised, it reflects not only the need for financial assistance but also a shared desire to honor the memory of Julian and Jamison. Their family faces not only the emotional burden of their loss but also the logistical challenges of funerals and rebuilding their lives from the ashes.
As investigations continue to uncover the cause of this devastating event, the Hoffmann family of companies and local businesses have stepped forward to offer support and demonstrate the strength of community bonds in the face of tragedy. The love and camaraderie evident in Defiance serve as a reminder that even amid heartbreak, people can come together to lift each other.
Neighbors’ feelings about the boys – how they brought joy to their surroundings – will serve as a lasting legacy. Their laughter and zest for life will not be forgotten as the community comes together to offer solace and comfort to their grieving family. In moments of darkness, it is this shared love and support that can help light the way forward and honor the lives of Julian and Jamison as their family navigates this unimaginable loss.