ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A family in North County is facing an unthinkable reality: a home gone and a life forever impacted.

Eighteen-year-old Dontea Hardy’s life was changed in a matter of seconds when an explosion ripped through his family’s home on Aug. 25.

His loved ones say they’re doing everything they can to keep Dontea going forward.

“(Dontea) said he heard something, not like a click-click or tick tick and then the explosion happened,” Terrance Hardy, Dontea’s uncle, said. “And when it happened, the roof fell in and it blocked the exit out from him so he literally had to go through, unfortunately, the flames to get out.”

His family said the teen—who is now recovering in the hospital—ran through the fire, burning 85% of his body. 

“(Dontea is) in and out, you know,” Hardy said. “He’s still sedated, you know. He’s still in a lot of pain. He was able to explain what had happened in the process of him going to the hospital.”

A GoFundMe was set up to support the family, including Dontea’s recovery. 

A benefit concert is being held Sunday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grandel Theatre patio to also help those impacted by the explosion. The public are invited to donate clothing, shoes, money or serve as a vendor to help.