Now, even in the hospital, he's still telling customers he wishes he could be back out there.
"We have the No. 1 best food vegan truck in the state," he said. "So I apologize for all the people who get a chance to be able to enjoy some of the best food."
He was excited to set up shop at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Chatham County heading into the weekend.
"This was going to be a big weekend. I've been trying to get it for over two and a half years. And I finally got there," Zeigler said.
Then, in a split second, a propane leak caused an explosion inside his food truck. He knew he had to escape.
"And my first concern was, you know, I need water, and if I'm still on fire, is anyone else at risk of getting hurt?" he said.
Zeigler said people stepped in to give him water and call for help. He was flown to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill, and is dealing with burns on 30% of his body, including on his face.
"I just thank God for being alive because it could be a very different conversation without me still being here," he said.
Now, he's just grateful for all the support he's gotten, giving him the strength to keep fighting.
"I refuse to take the easy way out. I'm going to fight. Going to fight every single day," he said.
There was another worker who was inside the truck when it exploded. He is also hospitalized and is reportedly stable.
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As for Zeigler, he faces three to six months of recovery at the burn center, and his family has set up ways to help with his medical expenses.
He also had words of encouragement for anyone going through a difficult time.
Fight the good fight, I say, by all means," Zeigler said. "Fight. If you're fighting, you're going in the right direction."
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