Rene Valenzuela, the founder of the nationally famous Taco Bus chain, was hours away from debuting a new tasting menu for a select group on March 10, as a way of introducing his new food truck concept.

He went to light one of the burners in the trailer and there wasn't enough aeration, resulting in a gas explosion. According to his close friend Jeff Houck Friday, Valenzuela was burned severely on his face, arms and legs. His family saw him emerge from the truck in flames, immediately taking him to a hospital in Brandon. He was then transferred to Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

In the first few days after the accident, he had successful grafts on his face. Today he received grafts on his arms, leg flesh used to replace damaged tissue.

With one of the first Florida food trucks to achieve cult status, Valenzuela had been working his way out of Taco Bus, having recently taken on an investor who took over majority share. Valenzuela's hope was to start a new venture called Rene's Mexican Kitchen.

According to friends, Valenzuela remains optimistic about recovery, although he has been in bed since the accident and worries about his family and prospects for his new venture.

Friends and colleagues have started a GoFundMe account, which has $6,665 in donations thus far towards a goal of $70,000. Visit gofundme.com/5ajgwv4