Owner of East Austin Food Trailer Suffers Second-Degree Burns in Generator Explosion

An Austin man, Sarmad ‘Sam’ Aldhaher, is on the mend after a generator explosion near his food trailer left him with second-degree burns. Sam, who owns Halal Time, suffered injuries from the incident that occurred around 7:30 p.m. on October 9, when one of two generators he relied on for power erupted in flames. Covered in medical bandages and ointment, Sam shared his ordeal with FOX 7, explaining that medical professionals have advised him to protect his burns from sunlight and irritating conditions.

For months prior, Sam had been utilizing generators while he awaited a power connection for his trailer, located at East 6th and Onion Street. Although the City of Austin had approved the connection, he was required to find a licensed electrician to complete the work. Unfortunately, Sam claims that the electricians he hired did not fulfill their agreements.

In response to the emergency, the Austin Fire Department quickly arrived, but Sam initially focused on ensuring no one else was hurt rather than considering his own injuries. His girlfriend eventually convinced him to seek medical attention after she recognized the seriousness of his condition. Upon arriving at the hospital, he began to feel the extent of his injuries, which included burns on his face, legs, and arms. Sam underwent surgeries during his hospital stay that lasted several days.

A familiar face, one of his customers, visited him while he was in recovery, which brought him comfort. Sam expressed how much he misses the joy of serving his community and interacting with customers at Halal Time, which he started in 2015 after moving from Iraq, where he worked as a translator.

The incident has severely impacted his business, damaging about 60 percent of his trailer and rendering it out of service. Sam has five children, the youngest being four years old and the oldest 17. He has expressed concern about the impending hospital bills, as he does not have medical insurance. Community members have rallied around him, raising over $10,000 through a GoFundMe campaign organized to help with medical expenses. He has also been moved by the emotional support and well-wishes he has received. Although he is uncertain about when Halal Time will reopen, Sam remains hopeful and determined to return to serving his customers.

Those interested in supporting Sam and his family can contribute through the GoFundMe page.