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 could not 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.
Casey said, “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 statement from the company was released on Friday. It read: “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.
They say, “If you’ve ever met the guys at 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.”
The tragedy that struck the town of Defiance affected the entire community. The devastating explosion that claimed the lives of Julian and Jamison Keizer left a deep impact on those who knew them and those who learned of the tragic event. The loss of two young boys, fondly remembered by their neighbor Sharon Oberlag as joyful and bubbly, has sparked an outpouring of support and grief in the community.
The response from residents and businesses has been swift, and efforts to provide financial and emotional support to the family are already underway. A GoFundMe campaign created to help cover funeral costs and help the grieving family has raised more than $145,000, demonstrating the community’s solidarity and compassion. The Hoffmann family of companies, and owners of the property, expressed their condolences and support to the family during this difficult time.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire continues, and attention remains focused on memorializing Julian and Jamison. The community’s shared grief and their family’s support reflect the deep bonds and empathy shared among the people of Defiance. The lasting memories of the boys’ enthusiasm and joy will remain in the hearts of those who knew them and will serve as a testament to the impact they had on the lives of those around them.