FLORISSANT, Mo. - Martez Stephenson, the owner of St. Louis Happy Hour Bar & Grill in Florissant, opened his doors Wednesday night to raise money for the family of Dontea Anthony, the 18-year-old critically injured with severe burns during an explosion that damaged more than 20 homes in north St. Louis County.

“She’s my classmate, and one thing about where we come from, we all come together at tragic times,” said Stephenson.

The investigation into the Aug. 25 blast is not over but preliminary findings point to natural gas as the likely cause of the explosion. 

Anthony’s family launched a GoFundMe after the blast.  

Other families have also turned to fundraisers to help move forward.  

Haya Mahmoud and her mother are staying at a hotel due to damage to their home.  Mahmoud’s mother, who uses a wheelchair, suffered a concussion when the explosion’s force sent broken glass flying. 

Mahmoud started a GoFundMe to help with expenses. 

Jarvis Rembert also launched a GoFundMe to help his family.

“It’s been a very tough time just trying to pick ourselves back,” Rembert said.  “We’re just praying every day trying to sort something out.” 

He said his mother was home recovering from surgery when the explosion rocked their home.  

They’ve been staying at a hotel, without knowing where they will be staying in the future. 

“This is a whole new experience for us,” he said. “We’re just trying to get back on our feet.”