Tim and Tiffany McPherson were working inside their Atwood-based TNT Tacos food truck when an explosion tore through the unit on Thursday, leaving both of them badly burned. The couple was airlifted to a Nashville hospital and has already undergone surgery for extensive second- and third-degree burns. Family photos and updates shared by their daughter show the two wrapped head to toe in bandages as they begin what doctors say will likely be a months-long recovery, while the truck itself was completely destroyed.
Blast In Tractor Supply Parking Lot
Dispatchers sent the Huntingdon Fire Department to the Tractor Supply Co. parking lot on East Main Street just after 10:30 a.m., where crews arrived to find the trailer fully engulfed in flames, according to the Carroll County Observer. Officials quickly cleared the lot so two medical helicopters could land. Huntingdon firefighters, Carroll County Fire, the county EMA, the sheriff’s office, Baptist EMS, and Air Evac Lifeteam all responded and helped stabilize Tim and Tiffany. Eyewitness photos from the scene show the truck’s frame scorched and twisted, with the trailer a total loss.
How They Escaped And Were Treated
Tiffany later described the moment of the blast, writing that “from the force of the explosion I was blown back against the far wall where our sinks are and I was trapped,” a family message highlighted by WSMV. Her husband, Tim, ran back into the burning truck and pulled her out, the family says. Both were flown by helicopter to Nashville, where they have already had at least one surgery as treatment begins for their severe burns.
Fundraiser And Recovery
Their daughter, Jada Pastrana, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and basic living costs. The fundraiser shows $17,755 raised toward a $22,000 goal and includes daily updates from the family. According to the page, Tim and Tiffany are alert and talking, although doctors expect them to remain hospitalized for months as they heal. Tiffany has publicly thanked first responders and the hospital staff, saying their fast actions saved the couple’s lives.
Investigation And Safety Takeaways
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Family members told local reporters they believe a propane leak may have ignited, according to the Carroll County Observer. Public inspection logs list TNT Tacos as an Atwood mobile food vendor, per WBBJ.
Propane is a common fuel source in food trucks, and standard safety checklists tied to NFPA codes call for regular leak testing, securely mounted tanks, and proper ventilation, guidelines that appear in NFPA food-truck materials and municipal fact sheets. Neighbors and longtime customers have been posting messages of support on the family’s fundraiser page, and local volunteers have stepped up with offers to help while the McPhersons recover. Officials have not yet released a formal finding on what caused the blast, and investigators are expected to examine the vehicle and fuel systems in detail in the coming days.
