Food truck fire under investigation, fire officials say

AUGUSTA (WJBF) – Shock and relief filled downtown Augusta over the weekend after a well attended food truck festival ended with one of the food trucks going up inflames.

The Georgia Foodees Food and Culture Festival brought between 80 to 100 thousand people to downtown Augusta, all on and around the pedestrian bridge. And just as the last day wrapped up, one of those food trucks caught fire, drastically changing life for its owner. Help came quickly in more ways than one.

“We had no clue we were going to make history with the biggest food truck festival ever in this region,” said Ron Kennedy and Tricia Croft, Foodees. Directors

As people in the CSRA were feasting at The Georgia Foodees Food and Culture Festival, fire erupted. Augusta Fire EMA reports crews quickly responded to smoke and flames coming from one of the food truck vendors just after 5:30 Sunday. As the fire was put out, no one was injured.

Ron Kennedy and Tricia Croft put on the event and are thankful all are safe. But they are still trying to wrap their heads around what happened.

“We noticed that people started running toward the Freedom Bridge,” Kennedy said. “We looked up above the Depot and there was just smoke going everywhere. We didn’t know what happened, but we knew it wasn’t good.”

And it was not good. One of the food trucks cooking up fried fish and funnel cake went up in flames. Metro Concessions is owned by Harvin Pollard. Fellow food truck vendors Nothin’ Fancy, which is based in Lexington, South Carolina, report Pollard lost not only his mobile kitchen, but all of his money earned that weekend. He also lost his cell phone. Thomas Fox said Nothin’ Fancy immediately set up a GoFundMe to help. And while the business planned to sell Pollard an unused trailer they have, he’s now getting it for free.

“He’s a good man and he works hard. He lives by his word and that means more than any financial gains we could have got from that truck. [It is] is helping somebody that needs it and [he] is a good person.”

Kennedy and Croft said there’s just one burned piece of money left in all the rubble. They donated $1,000. And they hope the generosity is contagious.

Kennedy added, “We are putting together a drive right now with the Foodees. community. And it’s just going to bless him in every way possible. We’re even trying to reach out to some automobile manufacturers to see if they would be willing to bless him with a brand new truck.”

Pollard’s food truck community calls him Uncle Harvin. And the Nothin’ Fancy folks say he built his trailer with his hands during the pandemic and worked tirelessly to feed the Camden, South Carolina community.

AUGUSTA (WJBF) – Augusta Fire Crews responded to Freedom Bridge Sunday for a food truck fire.

According to the Augusta Fire/EMA Facebook Page, upon arrival, smoke and flames were seen coming from one of the food trucks.

Firefighters were able to extinguished the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported on the scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Foodees, the company that sponsored the popular and well-attended Augusta festival, shared a heart warming post on their Facebook page:

Sadly, the food truck that the fire derived from was destroyed. In an amazing turn, the vendors who travel from town to town have already began to come together. Nothin’ Fancy immediately made the decision to donate one of their food trucks to help with the loss. Other vendor came together by starting a GofundMe. This shows what Foodees is all about. We have not only created an atmosphere of unity for communities, but we have also created a great sense of unity among our vendors. We like to thank God first that no one was hurt. Next is the response from the City of Augusta, both the Fire Department and the Sherrifs Office. Next a special thanks to Foodees staff and the vendors for responding quickly to clear the area. Even in the eye of tragedy Augusta has been amazing. We are grateful for the support and happy that we will see you next year!
Foodees.