Amazon Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit

How are Tabletop Liquid Burning Fire Pits Dangerous?

Tabletop liquid burning fire pits are typically marketed as compact, decorative sources of ambient light and heat for indoor or outdoor use.

These fire pits consist of a small concrete container or concrete open reservoir intended to hold and burn fuel, usually isopropyl alcohol or similar liquid fuels such as ethanol or methanol.

When lit, the alcohol flames appear clean and controlled, often nearly invisible, which adds to the aesthetic appeal but also increases the risk of unintentional contact.

While intended to provide warmth and ambiance, these devices lack many of the safety features found in larger fire systems, making them far more dangerous than they appear.

Many lack flame arrestors or proper ventilation mechanisms, allowing vapors to accumulate and ignite suddenly.

The result is an extreme risk of flames escaping, fire flashes, and high-temperature combustion events that can cause catastrophic injuries in seconds.

Below are the most common ways these dangerous incidents occur:

1. Refilling Alcohol Into a Hot Fire Pit: When users attempt refilling alcohol into a fire pit that still retains residual heat, the vapors can ignite instantly. This causes a flashback explosion that suddenly propels burning alcohol and flames back up the fuel stream toward the bottle, igniting it or the user’s hands.
2. Igniting Pooled Liquid in the Open Reservoir: The concrete open reservoir intended for burning may still contain pooled or partially burned burning liquid alcohol. When re-lit, this fuel can combust with explosive force, generating fire flashes and spreading flames beyond the unit’s perimeter.
3. Pouring Alcohol Near an Active or Smoldering Flame: Even if flames are not visible, alcohol flames can remain active for several minutes. Pouring alcohol too soon or too close to a still-hot surface often results in a sudden ignition of vapors, which can create larger, hotter flames that erupt violently.
4. Flames Escaping the Container: These fire pits lack proper containment or flame control. As a result, once ignition occurs, flames escaping the concrete container can easily catch onto clothing, furniture, or other flammable materials nearby, turning a small mishap into a full-scale emergency.
5. Unstable Surfaces and Tipping Hazards: Many of these products are used on patios, tables, or countertops. A slight bump or movement can cause the burning fuel to spill, leading to fire spreading hazards that engulf nearby objects or even the person using the fire pit.
6. Misuse of Similar Liquid Fuels: Consumers may unknowingly substitute recommended fuels with similar liquid fuels like rubbing alcohol or cooking ethanol, not realizing the volatility differences. This significantly increases the chances of uncontrolled fire events.
7. Invisibility of the Flame: The clean-burning nature of isopropyl rubbing alcohol produces flames that are often colorless and difficult to detect. Users may mistakenly believe the flame is extinguished, increasing the likelihood of refueling or moving the fire pit while it’s still active.
8. Lack of Warning Labels or Instructions: Many tabletop fire pits, especially those sold online, lack adequate safety instructions or labeling. This leaves users unaware of how dangerous burning liquid alcohol can be in such an exposed design, and how quickly an accident can escalate.

These hazards make tabletop fire pits far more dangerous than they appear, especially when used indoors or in close proximity to people.

What begins as a decorative flame can turn into a devastating fire hazard in less than one second, causing burns, disfigurement, and lifelong trauma.

Victims often require hospitalization, surgery, and long-term care, all because of a poorly designed product that fails to account for basic combustion risks.

Injuries Linked to Defective Tabletop Fire Pits

Accidents involving defective tabletop fire pits have resulted in devastating, life-altering injuries for unsuspecting users.

In many cases, flames erupt suddenly and without warning, engulfing victims’ bodies in fire.

These incidents often involve pooled alcohol that ignites violently during refueling or relighting.

The flames burn at extremely high temperatures and can cling to skin, clothing, and nearby objects, making escape or extinguishment difficult.

Injured victims frequently require emergency medical intervention, hospitalization, and long-term care.

Some victims have suffered burns to more than 40% of their bodies, while others have tragically lost their lives.

The physical and emotional toll of these accidents is immense and often permanent.

Injuries linked to defective tabletop fire pits include:

• Third-degree burns
• Second-degree burns over large areas of the body
• Full-thickness skin loss requiring skin grafts
• Nerve damage and loss of mobility
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Inhalation injuries and respiratory complications
• Long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Psychological trauma and PTSD
• Wrongful death due to burn complications or infection

How are Serious Burn Injuries from Tabletop Fire Pits Treated?

Serious burn injuries from tabletop fire pits are typically treated in specialized burn treatment facilities equipped to handle high-temperature injuries and complex wound care.

Victims with severe burns are often admitted to a burn unit for immediate stabilization, pain management, and infection control.

Depending on the extent of the injury, treatment may require surgery, prolonged medical treatment, admission to burn treatment facilities, and long-term hospitalization.

Many patients undergo surgical procedures such as debridement and skin grafting to remove damaged tissue and begin the healing process.

Recovery doesn’t stop after surgery.

Physical therapy is often necessary to restore mobility, rebuild strength, and minimize the long-term effects of scarring or nerve damage.

Emotional support and psychological counseling may also be recommended to address trauma and anxiety resulting from the incident.

Burn care often includes months of follow-up visits, wound monitoring, and additional reconstructive procedures.

The road to recovery is long, painful, and costly, particularly when the injuries were preventable and caused by a defective product.

Lawsuits Filed for Burn Injuries and Deaths Linked to Tabletop Fire Pits

Victims of tabletop fire pit explosions and flash fires have begun filing lawsuits across the country, seeking justice under federal law and state product liability statutes.

These legal actions target manufacturers, distributors, and major retailers for selling dangerously defective products without proper warnings or safety features.

Many of the claims involve severe burn injuries, permanent disfigurement, and even wrongful death, often caused by sudden flame jetting or explosions during routine use or refueling.

Plaintiffs allege that these products violate federal safety standards and that companies failed to take corrective action even after multiple incidents were reported.

Courts are now reviewing cases involving Colsen fire pits, unbranded fire pots sold online, and products purchased through major platforms like Amazon.

Below is a list of notable lawsuits filed to date:

• Class Action vs. Colsen Fire Pits LLC: On October 28, 2024, a class action complaint was filed in a North Carolina federal court by Shaneka Barnhart. It alleges that Colsen sold dangerously defective tabletop fire pits that cause fires, burns, and permanent disfigurement, without adequate warnings or safety features.
• Legal Case vs. Amazon & Distributors: A lawsuit was filed against Amazon and its subsidiaries, and others after a tabletop fire pit sold through Amazon allegedly caused catastrophic burn injuries. Among the allegations are that the product sold lacked proper warnings and safety features.
• Florida Federal Lawsuit by a Married Couple: One of the earlier cases was brought by a couple in Florida who were severely burned while using a Colsen/Gusar fire pit purchased via Amazon. The case describes how pouring fuel onto a still burning or hot fire pit led to an explosion and substantial injuries.
• Wrongful Death and Injury Lawsuits for Liquid‑Burning Fire Pits: There are multiple lawsuits tied to the FLĬKRfire brand and other unbranded/marketplace models. These suits allege that the design flaws and inadequate safety warnings for FLIKRfire tabletop fireplaces caused death or severe injuries in incidents involving flash fires or flame jetting.
• Allegations of Violations of State & Federal Consumer Protection Laws: Many of these lawsuits point to violations of both state laws (around deceptive marketing, faulty design, failure to warn) and federal laws regulating product safety. In the Colsen class action, for example, the complaint alleges misrepresentation or failure to warn about burn hazards.

Colsen Recalls Fire Pits Due to Burn Hazard

In October 2024, Colsen Fire Pits LLC issued a nationwide recall affecting approximately 89,500 tabletop fire pits due to serious safety concerns.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Colsen are urging consumers to immediately stop using the recalled fire pits and dispose of them, do not resell or donate them.

The recall comes after at least six incidents involving surgery, prolonged medical treatment, admission to burn treatment facilities, permanent disfigurement, or loss of function.

Among the reported cases are two severe instances of third‑degree burns covering more than 40% of the victims’ bodies.

The recall applies to seven different Colsen branded fire pits, ranging in size from 5 to 18 inches, with concrete open reservoirs meant to contain burning liquid alcohol, sold from January 2020 through July 2024 by major retailers.

These defective fire pits exhibited flame jetting and flames escaping the container, leading to injuries and fire spreading hazards.

Because burns can occur in less than one second, even a brief exposure during refilling or spilling can result in catastrophic harm.

Under both voluntary safety standards and longstanding principles of product liability, this recall reflects how dangerous these products are when basic design or warning features are lacking.

Do You Qualify for an Amazon Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit?

You may qualify for an Amazon tabletop fire pit lawsuit if you or a loved one suffered burn injuries while using a liquid-fueled fire pit purchased through Amazon.

These claims often involve devices that lacked critical safety features, such as flame arrestors or clear warnings about the dangers of refueling with alcohol or similar liquid fuels.

If the fire pit erupted unexpectedly, caused flame jetting, or led to a flash fire that resulted in serious injuries, you may have grounds for legal action.

Injuries that required hospitalization, surgeries, or treatment in a burn unit can strengthen your eligibility.

Even if the fire pit you used was not officially recalled, you may still qualify if it shares key design flaws with known dangerous models.

Lawsuits have already been filed naming Amazon as a defendant, based on allegations that the platform distributed hazardous fire pits without properly vetting third-party sellers or disclosing known risks.

These incidents have caused lasting physical and emotional damage for many victims.

Speaking with a product liability lawyer can help determine whether your case meets the criteria for pursuing compensation.

Gathering Evidence for a Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit

Building a strong tabletop fire pit lawsuit starts with collecting the right evidence.

Whether your injury involved a recalled product or an unbranded fire pit purchased online, documentation is essential to proving liability and damages.

Evidence can show how the incident occurred, the severity of your injuries, and the role the product’s design or labeling may have played.

The more thorough your records, the stronger your legal claim will be.

Evidence in a tabletop fire pit lawsuit may include:

• The fire pit itself, whether intact or damaged
• Photos or videos of the incident, injuries, or aftermath
• Medical records documenting diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
• Receipts, order confirmations, or product listings from the retailer
• Witness statements from anyone present at the time of the incident
• Fire department or emergency response reports
• Communication with the seller, manufacturer, or Amazon
• Instructions, packaging, or warning labels that accompanied the product
• Proof of lost wages or other financial impacts related to the injury

Damages in Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuits

Lawyers play a key role in assessing the full impact of injuries caused by defective tabletop fire pits, also known as damages.

They work with medical experts and economic analysts to calculate both immediate and long-term losses, including treatment costs and diminished earning potential.

An experienced attorney can also identify non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, that may not be obvious without legal guidance.

For many victims, pursuing compensation is the only way to recover financial resources lost due to medical care, lost wages, and life-altering injuries.

Damages may include:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation)
• Future medical care and ongoing treatment costs
• Lost wages from time off work
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death and funeral expenses (in fatal incidents)

TorHoerman Law: Investigating Claims Involving Amazon Tabletop Fire Pits

TorHoerman Law is actively investigating claims involving tabletop fire pits purchased through Amazon that have caused serious injuries, disfigurement, or even death.

These incidents often involve unbranded or third-party products sold without proper warnings, safety features, or compliance with federal safety standards.

Victims have suffered life-altering harm from flame jetting, flash fires, and uncontrolled burning linked to the use of alcohol-fueled fire pits sold on one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.

If you or a loved one were injured by one of these products, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation.

Our legal team is ready to review your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue justice against all responsible parties, including manufacturers, distributors, and online platforms like Amazon.