ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The 18-year-old who was critically injured in a home explosion in north St. Louis County on Monday was in the basement of the home at the time of the blast, a family member told 5 On Your Side.

Dontea Anthony Jr., 18, was the only member of the family inside the home at the time of the explosion. After the explosion, he had to escape the home through flames, which left him burned on 85% of his body. He was rushed to an area hospital with critical injuries.

In a Tuesday evening news conference, St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said the explosion was likely caused by natural gas, but the cause was still under investigation. Officials ruled out anything criminal as a cause.

Dontea's twin brother recently started at Maryville on a full-ride track schol

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