Food truck catches fire during Wake Forest vs. NC State, fills stadium with smoke

A food truck outside of Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium caught fire during the first half of Wake Forest‘s ACC opener against NC State on Thursday night. Smoke wafted into the stadium and was visible in the air around the field.

The ESPN broadcast caught footage of the fire, showing the burning truck — Choc’s BBQ & Southern Catering. The smoke cleared up in and around the stadium by the end of the second quarter.

LMAO a food trunk is on fire outside of the Wake Forest NC State game and it’s literally hotboxing the stadium @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/dw5a0F54bL

— Oswald (@OswaldsWrld) September 12, 2025

It’s unclear what caused the fire, or the extent of the damage the truck received from its burns. However, the broadcast showed someone who worked there attempting to calm the fire with an extinguisher.

NC State assistant AD and general manager Andy Vaughn took a photo alongside the owner of the truck, who appears to be the same man on the ESPN broadcast. According to the restaurant’s website, Choc’s BBQ is based in upstate South Carolina.

Hey #WPN traveling to the game tonight go support my man Jeff @ Choc’s Southern BBQ inside the stadium, he is rolling with @PackFootball so go support him!! Throw up the Wolf & tell him I sent you!! pic.twitter.com/vowdJOcQDK

— Andy Vaughn 🧃 (@Andy_Vaughn) September 11, 2025

The fire occurred during a high-scoring first-half in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest took a 24-17 lead into the locker room against their ACC opposition.

The Demon Deacons scored the first two touchdowns of the game, including a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown from Chris Barnes on the opening play of the game. Running back Demond Claiborne ran in the other touchdown.

Wake Forest’s lead didn’t last, however. The Wolfpack quickly tied the game before the end of the first quarter. NC State pushed the ball down the field and scored on an eight-play, 75-yard drive after the Claiborne TD. NC State’s Isaiah Shirley picked off Wake Forest QB Robby Ashford on the ensuing drive to tie the game.

NC State was held to a field goal during the second quarter. Wake Forest’s offense took advantage with a touchdown and a field goal before heading into the locker room for halftime.

Both programs are off to 2-0 starts, and are hoping to improve from their below .500 records from last season. Wake Forest has finished 4-8 in each of the last two seasons and are already halfway to that total through two weeks this season.

Meanwhile, NC State is looking to make its fourth consecutive bowl game under head coach Dave Doeren. Doeren has been with the program since the 2013 season.

The second half between the Wolfpack and Demon Deacons will resume live on ESPN. NC State is set receive the opening kickoff of the third quarter out of halftime.