In the small Missouri town of Defiance, a house exploded, tragically taking the lives of two young children.Due to severe weather, the school canceled classes, leaving four-year-old Julian Keiser and six-year-old Jamison Keiser at home. Unfortunately, they couldn’t escape the fire that engulfed their home near Highway 94, just outside  St. Louis, and passed away early Friday morning.

Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape and find safety, according to officials and a GoFundMe page.A neighbor, Sharon Oberlag, described the boys as “the nicest little boys” who loved school. Since classes were canceled due to the cold, Jaiden and Julian were home when the explosion occurred.

Firefighters couldn’t reach the boys in time because the house was already ablaze upon their arrival. Despite their efforts to enter through a window, they were unable to locate the children until later, when their bodies were found.Oberlag heard an explosion-like sound from the house and expressed gratitude for the community’s efforts to help. Unfortunately, they were unable to save the neighboring boys, Nick and Travis.

The cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation. The Hoffmann Family of Companies, owned by Missourians David and Jerri Hoffmann, owned the building. The Hoffmanns have been purchasing wineries and restaurants in the area with the goal of transforming it into the Midwest’s  Napa Valley.

The family is devastated by the loss of their children and grandchildren. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support them, raising over $145,000 as of Monday morning.Neighbors and community members remember the boys fondly and mourn their loss. Laura Emerson, a neighbor, left a Christmas wreath and plush animals at the site of the destroyed house, remembering the boys’ happiness and love.The family is devastated by the loss of their children and grandchildren. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support them, raising over $145,000 as of Monday morning.Neighbors and community members remember the boys fondly and mourn their loss. Laura Emerson, a neighbor, left a Christmas wreath and plush animals at the site of the destroyed house, remembering the boys’ happiness and love.

The family will need emotional support as they grieve the loss of their special boys, in addition to financial contributions to cover funeral expenses and rebuild their lives.