What a tragedy! The whole country is mourning the passing. When you find out who it is, you will cry

In any case, my spouse used to tell me that I had a behind capable of raising the dead from their graves. I wish to avoid taking any chances. Isn’t that funny? If you laughed at this joke, please SHARE it on Facebook with your loved ones.

Tragedy struck the small Missouri hamlet of Defiance when a house explosion claimed the lives of two young children. The devastating incident occurred when Julian, aged four, and Jamison, aged six, were at home because their school had canceled classes due to extreme weather conditions. The explosion occurred just outside St. Louis near Highway 94. The young boys tragically passed away early Friday morning before they could escape the flames or be rescued.

Their mother, Evelyn, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern, managed to flee the burning house and reach safety, according to reports from officials and a GoFundMe page created to support the family.

A neighbor, Sharon, described the boys as “the nicest little boys,” noting their enthusiasm for school. “They thought school was the coolest thing ever, and they were so cute,” she said. Because the school had canceled lessons to protect children from the cold, Jaiden, who had just started kindergarten, and Julian were at home when the explosion occurred.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the house was already engulfed in flames, preventing them from reaching the boys in time. Dan, Chief of the New Melle Fire Protection District, stated that the firefighters entered through a window in search of the children but were hindered by the intense fire. Sadly, the boys’ bodies were discovered later.

Sharon reported hearing an explosion-like sound coming from the residence. She expressed gratitude for the community’s response, stating, “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 added that neighbors Nick and Travis attempted to reach the boys but were unable to do so due to the fire’s intensity.

The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based enterprise founded by Missourians David and Jerri, owned the building. The Hoffmanns had purchased nearby wineries and eateries with the vision of transforming the area into the Midwest’s version of Napa Valley. In a statement, the company expressed its condolences, saying, “Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren. As a family-run company, we are committed to supporting our staff and our community.”

The boys’ mother, Evelyn, owns the nearby Defiance RoadHouse, a bar and grill close to where the explosion occurred. According to the Post-Dispatch, Evelyn’s mother, Jennifer, had also operated the establishment for many years.

Dan, a co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, set up a GoFundMe campaign for the family, which has raised over $145,000 as of Monday morning. He noted that both Evelyn and Jennifer are active members of the Defiance Merchants Association, a group supporting the local wine industry. In a statement, he said, “If you ever met the boys at the Defiance RoadHouse, the Christmas Festival, or the St. Patrick’s Day parade, you will never forget how excited they were about life and how much joy they brought to everyone around them.”

The family is facing the financial burden of arranging two funerals while coping with the loss of their home and possessions. The GoFundMe statement emphasizes the need for both financial and emotional support: “The family will need your prayers and emotional support as they grieve the loss of two special little boys in addition to your financial contributions.”

Neighbor Laura stopped by to place a Christmas wreath on a water pump near the wrecked house, adding two plush animals to it. She reflected on the boys, saying, “Those boys appeared content. They were intelligent. They were happy. They were loved.” The community continues to rally around the family during this difficult time, offering love and support in the face of unimaginable loss.