Dontea Anthony Jr. was badly injured in a home explosion in northern St. Louis County that authorities believe was caused by natural gas. According to a family member who spoke to 5 On Your Side, the 18-year-old was in the basement when the explosion occurred last Monday and was the only family member inside the house.
Anthony’s twin brother had just entered Maryville on a full-ride track scholarship; his mother was out on a jog, and his father was working.
Anthony was burned on 85% of his body after having to flee the house through flames following the explosion. Anthony was a recent graduate of Hazelwood Central. He was sent to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.
St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory stated during a press conference on August 26 that natural gas was most likely the source of the explosion, although the cause was still being looked into. Officials ruled out any criminal involvement.
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Reports of the explosion on Evan Aire Drive began to come in shortly after 9 a.m. According to Black Jack Fire Protection District Assistant Fire Chief Paul Peebles, when firefighters arrived, they discovered five burning residences.
Over 20 residences were destroyed or damaged by the blast. After the neighborhood’s buildings were inspected by structural engineers, many locals were told to leave their houses.
Spire issued a statement after investigators said the explosion was probably caused by natural gas. The statement reiterated that Spire had not discovered any problems with its infrastructure “leading up to” the impacted homes, nor had it heard any reports of recent excavation or a gas smell in the vicinity.
“We take our responsibility for safety very seriously, and we’re committed to keeping our customers, employees, and communities safe. We’ll continue to support the fire department and applicable regulatory bodies in a full investigation of the incident,” Spire said.
Less than a week after the tragic event, the community came together for a healing and reconstruction-focused fundraiser on August 31.
The goal of the benefit performance outside The Grandel Theatre was to help the families of those impacted by the explosion on August 25.
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Terance Hardy, Anthony’s uncle, attributes his nephew’s survival to his athletic training.
“The fact that they run track, I believe, was the difference,” Hardy said. “I could only think of what would happen to me in that situation. The fact that he was quick — quick thinking — and was able to get out. I would be too consumed thinking about the fire and me being burned.”
Despite his serious injuries, Hardy said the teen remained conscious.
“When he was able to get out, he said who’s going to call his job? You know, because he was more concerned about going to work,” Hardy recounted.
Anthony’s family is still hopeful that he will recover.
“We’re just hoping that once he gets able to see himself, that it doesn’t send him in a backlash. Everything is healing pretty well,” Hardy said.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s aunt created a GoFundMe page, indicating he has “a very challenging road ahead of him” and that the family needs assistance healing and rebuilding after the explosion.
