A house explosion in Defiance, Missouri, on Friday morning took the lives of two young brothers, Julian (4) and Jamison (6). Schools were closed due to bad weather, so the boys were at home with their family. While their mother, Evelyn, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern, escaped, the boys couldn’t be saved in time.

First responders arrived quickly but struggled because the fire was so intense. Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Department said the flames made it hard to find the children right away. Despite the firefighters’ hard work, the boys couldn’t be saved.

Sharon Oberlag, a neighbor who heard the explosion, spoke about the loss. She described Julian and Jamison as “the nicest little boys” who loved school and thought it was “the coolest thing ever.” She highlighted how much joy and energy the brothers brought to their community.

The house where the explosion happened is owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, who are deeply saddened by the family’s loss. In a statement, they said, “Our hearts are with our team member and their family who lost their children and grandchildren.”