Sarmad “Sam” Aldhaher, owner of the East Austin food trailer Halal Time, is recovering from second-degree burns across his face, legs and arms after a generator exploded near his trailer earlier this month. The blast tore through close to 60% of his trailer, left him hospitalized for nearly a week with two surgeries, and has put his beloved business out of service with no clear timeline for reopening.
The explosion happened around 7:30 p.m. on October 9 near East Sixth and Onion Street, according to FOX 7 Austin. The Austin Fire Department responded shortly afterward, the station reports. Aldhaher initially refused to let EMS take him to the hospital, but his girlfriend convinced him he needed immediate medical attention, and he was ultimately admitted.
Five Days in the Hospital, Two Surgeries
Aldhaher spent five or six days in the hospital undergoing two surgeries, the station's report notes. Doctors told him it could take up to two months for his burns to heal, and medical professionals have advised him to avoid sun exposure and other irritating conditions during recovery. He also lacks medical insurance and expects a large hospital bill once treatment wraps up, per the same account.
“It's very hard because I love my job,” Aldhaher said, according to the outlet's report. The fire damaged close to 60% of his trailer, he said, leaving Halal Time out of commission indefinitely. He told the station he doesn't know when the business will reopen, though he plans to return to serving customers once it does.
A Power Connection Tangled in Red Tape
Aldhaher had been running his trailer on two generators for months while trying to secure a permanent power connection, the station's report states. He said the City of Austin had approved the connection but required him to find a licensed electrician to complete the work. Two separate third-party electricians he hired never finished the agreed-upon job, he said, leaving him dependent on generator power in the meantime.
Austin Fire guidance warns that improper use of electrical accessories and overloading circuits is prohibited for mobile food vendors, and that any vendor obtaining a new permit must undergo a one-time electrical-system inspection by a master electrician to meet NFPA 70 compliance standards. Separate city event-planning guidance notes that, as of October 1, 2023, food trucks running on propane or electric appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors must pass an Austin Fire Department inspection before operating within city limits.
From Iraqi Translator to East Austin Food Truck Staple
Aldhaher moved to Austin in 2011 after working as a translator in Iraq, and he founded Halal Time in 2015. The trailer went on to earn a cult following, even getting a mention on the Joe Rogan Podcast, where a Michelin-starred chef called it one of Austin's best late-night food spots, per the station's report.
He and his girlfriend are raising five children together, ranging from a four-year-old to a 17-year-old, according to the report. Community members have rallied behind the family, donating more than $10,000 to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help cover Aldhaher's costs as he recovers and tries to rebuild the business.
“I'm so appreciative of all of them. I always have big hope. I'm always very positive,” Aldhaher said. “It's coming back again, and we are going to see the lights again.”
