Chris Blatchford the owner and chef at Blatch’s Vegan BBQ in Salt Lake City Utah was left hospitalized with second degree burns in a devastating fire.

About the fainting spell that led to the fire Chris wrote on Facebook:

“Had a diabetic low/blackout while holding a lighter, woke up to flames and kept falling/passing out resulting in burns, I got out after multiple falls/crawls and some gnarly 2nd degree burns. Treated at hospital and my top/arms and head are all bandaged and wrapped. Feel pretty horrible, but will be OK.”

The second degree burns he has suffered mostly on his arms, chest and head as can be seen in pictures posted to Facebook. The restaurants page posted about the incident saying:

“Chef Blatch is in good hands. He blacked out from a Type I Diabetic low blood sugar episode at the worst possible moment and we fortunately got him to safety.

We are so appreciative of the support and care everyone is sending and offering. We’ll keep y’all updated.

Blatch’s will be closed for the foreseeable future be we aren’t out for the count, but will be back.

Ms. Blatch”

Known locally as “Chef Blatch” his BBQ pit located in The Avenues area has been a near total loss.

A post update on the Blatchford’s Vegan BBQ Facebook page reads: 

“Chef Blatch has been discharged from the hospital with severe 2nd degree burns on his chest, arms, & head. He will be taking some time off to recover and come up wit a plan as the affected areas from the fire were a total loss, losing more that 80% of our equipment. Blatch’s isn’t goin anywhere, it’ll take some time to rebuild, but what we do is changing the world , the future and shattering stereotypes. We are here for it. Let’s make tomorrow better.”

“I tried to make my vegan options so good, a carnivore can eat my barbecue and be completely happy, and not feel like they’re lacking,” Blatchford told The Salt Lake Tribune in 2022.

He also recently told the Tribune about recent events:

“My passion for what I am doing is here, and we are changing the future,” he wrote. “Nothing’s going to stop that.”

Blatch’s Vegan BBQ has a go fund me available here to help rebuild if you’re interested in supporting a great cause.