Passenger van turned food truck catches fire, explodes in South End

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A passenger van operating as a food truck caught on fire and exploded Friday night in South End, officials said.

Charlotte Fire responded to the area just before 11 p.m. on South Tryon Street near Summit Avenue and Camden Road. There were a lot of people in the area Saturday night, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early.

Officials said this was an isolated incident and the only other damage besides the van was powerlines directly above the fire.

In video captured by one of our viewers, you can see the truck on fire, then it blew up with flames shooting into the sky. The truck sparked near the Gin Mill on South Tryon Street and people were outside at the time of the described explosion.

Channel 9 crews were able to see what was left of the food truck once firefighters were able to stop the blaze -- it was only a shell and the kitchen equipment inside was burned and scattered in the street.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental and started in the cooking area of the food truck. The fire caused around $5,000 in damages.

Firefighters said one person was treated for injuries, but they are expected to be OK.

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