The house in the little Missouri hamlet of Defiance blew up, killing two small children.

Because of the extreme weather, their school had canceled classes, so they were at home.

Before Julian Keiser, age four, and Jamison Keiser, age six, could escape their burning house near Highway 94, just outside of St. Louis, or be saved, they passed away early on Friday morning.

Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, were able to flee and reach safety, according to officials and a GoFundMe pageThe news source was informed by a neighbor, Sharon Oberlag, that “they were the nicest little boys.” “They thought school was the coolest thing ever, and they were so cute.”

Because their school had canceled lessons 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 couldn’t reach the victims in time since the house was already on fire when they arrived.

According to New Melle Fire Protection District Chief Dan Casey, the smoke eaters entered via a window in search of the lads.

“The fire prevented them from being found right away,” Casey stated. Later, the boys’ bodies were discovered.

Oberlag reported to KMOV that she heard an explosion-like sound coming from the residence.
Thank God, we didn’t know we were going to lose the two little boys, but everyone came running to help.” What transpired is really tragic,” she said to the news outlet.

Oberlag went on, “They attempted, but were unable, to capture the boys, Nick and Travis, who lived next door. It is awful.

The cause of the explosion and fire is still being investigated.The Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based enterprise founded by Missourians David and Jerri Hoffmann, was the owner of the building. According to the Post-Dispatch, the Hoffmanns purchased nearby wineries and eateries with the intention of turning the region into the Midwest’s Napa Valley.

“Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren,” the firm stated in a statement on Friday. “As a family-run company, we are committed to supporting our staff and our community.”

According to the news source, the house was close to the Defiance RoadHouse, a bar and grill owned by Turpiano, the boys’ mother.

The Post-Dispatch was informed by Dan Tripp, a co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, that Jennifer Ham, Turpiano’s mother, had also operated the for many years