A Shelbyville, Tennessee, restaurant owner is recovering after a food truck explosion left him with severe burns.

Floyd Thomas, owner of Morning Glory Catfish, was inside the truck with his daughter’s boyfriend, Tyshawn, early Saturday morning, preparing for the grand reopening of their popular food truck. According to Thomas’s wife, Cierra Brown, the explosion occurred when Thomas ignited a torch lighter to begin cooking. The blast resulted in Thomas suffering burns covering 40 to 60 percent of his body, while Tyshawn sustained severe burns to his hands and face.

Both individuals were transported to Vanderbilt Hospital for treatment. Brown expressed gratitude for their survival, stating, “That man is covered by the grace of God, because he, the way that that food truck looked, they said that both of them shouldn’t even be here right now, but they are.”

The couple had recently relocated the food truck from Murfreesboro to Shelbyville to meet community demand. Despite the setback, Brown remains optimistic, noting that Thomas continues to demonstrate resilience and faith during his recovery.

The family has initiated a fundraising campaign to assist with medical expenses and plans to reopen their Unionville restaurant on May 30. Community support has been instrumental, with many expressing their well-wishes and offering assistance during this challenging time.