That’s both terrifying and inspiring at the same time. The Bluffton‑based food truck Southern Peel, run by owner Chloe Zmolek, caught fire on the road near Beaufort late Saturday evening (April 3, 2026), forcing her to pull over in a panic and evacuate.
What Went Down
- Zmolek noticed smoke coming from the 1953 Chevy truck, tried to get off the road, and then flames exploded by her feet inside the cab. The windows reportedly blew out, and the whole rear passenger area erupted before firefighters arrived.
- She was able to get out safely, but the truck was badly damaged—mostly the driver/passenger compartment—while the cooking area and pizza equipment stayed largely intact, which is a huge break for the business.
Community Comes Through
- Beaufort–Port Royal Fire quickly responded, getting on scene in under a minute and a half, which Zmolek credits for saving the truck from total loss.
- A friend started a GoFundMe to help Zmolek replace or repair the truck; it has already raised thousands of dollars, showing how much local customers and the community support her mobile pizza business.
For a solo operator or small family business, losing a truck like that can feel like losing everything—but the fast response and the outpouring of support give her a real shot at getting back out there. If you ever swing through Bluffton, Southern Peel is the kind of place it’s worth supporting.
