Gina Heslop
What a tragedy! The entire country is mourning the loss of two young children who died when their house exploded in the small town of Defiance, Missouri. Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6, were at home because their school had canceled classes due to the extreme cold. The explosion happened early Friday morning, and the boys were unable to escape the burning house near Highway 94, just outside of St. Louis.
The children’s mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and their grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape and reach safety. A neighbor, Sharon Oberlag, described Julian and Jamison as the nicest little boys who thought school was the coolest thing ever.
The boys were home because their school had canceled classes to protect the children from the cold weather. However, when firefighters arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames, making it impossible to rescue Julian and Jamison in time. Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District explained that firefighters entered the house through a window to search for the boys but were hindered by the intense fire. Sadly, the boys were found deceased.
Sharon Oberlag recounted hearing an explosion and described the frantic efforts of neighbors trying to help. Despite their efforts, they were unable to save the boys. The cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation.
The house was owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based company with roots in Missouri. The Hoffmanns have been investing in local wineries and restaurants to transform the area into a Midwest version of Napa Valley. In a statement, the company expressed their condolences and support for the affected family.
The house was located next to the Defiance RoadHouse, a bar and grill run by the boys’ mother, Evelyn Turpiano. Jennifer Ham, Evelyn’s mother, had also managed the establishment for years. Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, set up a GoFundMe page to support the family, which had raised over $145,000 by Monday morning. Tripp mentioned that both women were active members of the Defiance Merchants Association, a group that promotes local wineries.
The GoFundMe page describes the boys as having brought joy and excitement to everyone they met. The family lost their home and all their possessions in the explosion and now faces the daunting task of arranging two funerals. The page asks for financial support, prayers, and emotional support for the grieving family.
Laura Emerson, a neighbor, hung a Christmas wreath with two stuffed animals on a water pump next to the burned house, honoring the memory of Julian and Jamison. She spoke fondly of the boys, describing them as happy, smart, and deeply loved.
