A devastating house explosion in the small Missouri community of Defiance claimed the lives of two young brothers, leaving neighbors and loved ones in deep mourning. Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6, were at home early Friday morning when the house near Highway 94 caught fire and exploded. Because extreme weather had canceled school, the boys were not in class that day.
Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the home safely. Firefighters arrived quickly but were unable to reach the children in time, as the house was already engulfed in flames. Despite entering through a window to search for them, the intense fire prevented an immediate rescue.
Neighbors described the boys as joyful, kind, and full of life, often seen at local events and the family’s restaurant. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the family cover funeral expenses and rebuild after losing their home and belongings. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.