A devastating house explosion in Defiance, Missouri, early Friday morning claimed the lives of two young brothers, Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6. The tragic event occurred on a day when local schools had canceled classes due to extreme weather, leaving the boys at home with their family. While their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the blaze, the two boys tragically could not be rescued in time.
First responders arrived quickly but were faced with significant challenges due to the intensity of the flames. Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District explained the difficulty in locating the children, saying, “The fire prevented them from being found right away.” Despite the firefighters’ best efforts, the boys could not be saved.
Neighbor Sharon Oberlag, who heard the explosion, shared her sorrow, remembering Julian and Jamison as “the nicest little boys” with a strong love for school. “They thought school was the coolest thing ever,” she recalled, emphasizing the happiness and joy the brothers brought to their community.
The home where the explosion occurred is owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, who expressed deep sympathy for the family’s unimaginable loss. In a statement, they shared, “Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren.”
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the grieving family. The campaign, which has raised over $145,000, was initiated by Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance. Both Evelyn and her mother, Jennifer, are active members of the Defiance Merchants Association, which has rallied around the family in their time of need. Tripp noted that the funds would help cover funeral expenses and assist the family in recovering from the loss of their home.
Neighbor Laura Emerson, who visited the site of the explosion, placed a Christmas wreath among the ruins of the home. Reflecting on the boys, she said, “Those boys appeared content. They were intelligent. They were happy. They were loved.”
