Pittsboro, NC – An explosion at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival on Thursday afternoon sent two food-truck workers to the hospital and shook the opening day of this annual event.
At approximately 12:30 pm, local responders received calls reporting a blast at a food truck stationed off Henderson Tanyard Road, on the grounds of the Shakori Hills festival site. The festival, which draws fans of music, dance, art and community from across the region, had just begun setup operations for its four-day run.
What Happened
The Chatham County Fire Marshal’s office is leading the investigation. Fire Marshal Billy Judson has publicly attributed the explosion to a propane gas leak inside the food truck. The blast was confined to the interior of the truck; bystanders reported flames and smoke, but no widespread fire.
The vehicle involved has been identified as Stuffyman’s Vegan Stuff. Festival staff and safety teams reportedly acted swiftly, using fire extinguishers before professional firefighting crews arrived.
The Victims and Response
Two workers inside the food truck sustained burn injuries. They were transported to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
First responders on the scene included the North Chatham Fire Department, Silk Hope Fire Department, Pittsboro Fire Department, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and FirstHealth EMS. An ambulance and medical flight were observed leaving the festival.
Festival organizers expressed gratitude for the rapid response and confirmed that the explosion occurred during setup, before the main performances had begun. According to the festival’s statement, the event will continue as scheduled.
The Shakori Hills Festival has been a fixture in Pittsboro since 2003, offering a stage for local and national musical talents across genres and fostering arts education in the region.