But behind the sleek designs and Instagram-ready photos is a very different reality: these products have been linked to severe burn injuries, permanent scarring, and even deaths across the country. Federal safety regulators have now issued recalls and consumer alerts warning families to stop using certain alcohol-fueled fire pits altogether.

At McEldrew Purtell, we are actively investigating these cases and pursuing claims on behalf of people who have been seriously hurt or lost loved ones due to tabletop fire pit explosions and flash fires.

Why Tabletop Fire Pits Are So Dangerous

Many of the products at the center of recent lawsuits and recalls share the same basic design:

• They burn pooled liquid fuel, such as ethanol, gel fuel, or even ordinary rubbing alcohol, in an open container.
• The flame can be very hard to see, especially in daylight or bright rooms.
• Consumers are encouraged to refuel near an open flame, which can cause:
  • Flame jetting – a sudden, torch-like burst of fire erupting from a fuel bottle
  • Flashback ignition – flames traveling back into the fuel container and causing an explosion

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that some of these liquid-burning fire pits violate voluntary safety standards designed to prevent precisely these types of pool fires and flame-jetting events.

When something goes wrong, it happens in an instant. Victims describe flames “shooting out like a blowtorch,” engulfing them or their loved ones before they have a chance to react. News reports and CPSC alerts have documented at least two deaths and dozens of serious burn injuries associated with these products since 2019.

Recalls and Safety Alerts You Should Know About

Several major recalls and warnings highlight how widespread this problem has become:

• Colsen tabletop fire pits – Approximately 89,000 units were recalled after reports of flames escaping and causing severe burns, surgeries, and permanent disfigurement.
• Other alcohol-fueled tabletop models – Additional recalls and warnings have involved products sold under different brand names, including units marketed as smokeless or decorative tabletop fireplaces.
• CPSC Consumer Alerts – The CPSC has urged consumers not to buy or use fire pits that burn pooled liquid fuels, emphasizing the risk of invisible flames, flashback explosions, and rapid, life-threatening burns.

News coverage has also highlighted heartbreaking stories, including:

• An elderly couple who died after a tabletop fire pit shot flames across their bodies.
• A 3-year-old boy who suffered second- and third-degree burns over 15% of his body when a tabletop fireplace malfunctioned during a family s’mores night.

These are not “freak accidents.” They are part of a pattern of incidents involving similar product designs and fuel systems.

How Do I Know If I Might Have a Tabletop Fire Pit Case?

If you or a loved one was hurt in an incident involving a small, decorative, or “smokeless” fire feature, you may have a claim even if you aren’t sure exactly what went wrong.

You may be dealing with a defective tabletop fire pit if:

• The fire pit used liquid fuel (ethanol, gel fuel, rubbing alcohol, or “bioethanol”).
• The flame was hard to see or appeared to “disappear,” leading someone to believe it was out.
• The incident involved:
  • A sudden explosion or “fireball”
  • Flames shooting out of the device or the fuel bottle
  • Fuel splashing or spilling and then igniting
• The product has since been recalled, or you’ve seen safety alerts about that brand or model.

Common injuries in these cases include:

• Second- and third-degree burns
• Skin graft surgeries and prolonged burn unit care
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Breathing problems due to inhalation of flames or smoke

If that sounds like what happened to you or someone close to you, it is worth speaking with a law firm experienced in catastrophic injury and product liability.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

These cases are not just about one careless moment with a candle. Lawsuits across the country allege that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers:

• Designed and sold unreasonably dangerous products
• Failed to include basic safety features (such as flame arrestors or safer fueling systems)
• Did not provide clear and adequate warnings about the risk of flame jetting, invisible flames, and flashback explosions
• Continued to market and sell these devices even after receiving reports of serious injuries and recalls.

Depending on the facts, potential defendants may include:

• The company that designed or branded the tabletop fire pit
• The manufacturer (including overseas manufacturers)
• The retailer or big-box store that sold it
• Online marketplaces that facilitated the sale

A thorough investigation is critical to identifying all responsible parties and preserving evidence before it disappears.

What To Do After a Tabletop Fire Pit Injury

If you or a loved one has been injured, your health comes first. Once immediate medical needs are addressed, the following steps can help protect your legal rights:

1. Get prompt medical care – Even if the burns seem limited, early treatment can reduce complications and create an important medical record of what happened.
2. Preserve the product and packaging – Do not throw away the tabletop fire pit, fuel containers, or instructions if it is safe to keep them. Place them somewhere secure. These items can be crucial evidence.
3. Take photos and video – If possible, document:
   • The injuries (over time, not just right after the incident)
   • The product, fuel bottles, and any warning labels
   • The area where the incident occurred (table, patio, surroundings)
4. Save receipts and purchase records – Keep proof of where and when the product was purchased (store receipts, order confirmations, credit card statements, online account screenshots).
5. Avoid giving statements to the manufacturer or insurer without counsel – Companies may reach out quickly. Before signing anything or giving a detailed statement, speak with an attorney who represents you, not the product maker or seller.

How McEldrew Purtell Can Help

Our firm focuses on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Tabletop fire pit incidents often involve exactly the kinds of life-changing injuries we handle every day:

• Extensive burns requiring surgery and long-term rehabilitation
• Visible scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of income and future earning capacity

When we investigate these claims, we:

• Examine whether the product’s design complied with safety standards
• Review recall histories and prior incident reports
• Work with fire and burn experts to understand precisely what went wrong
• Pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care, pain and suffering, and, where applicable, wrongful death damages

We also regularly collaborate with other law firms on these cases. If another attorney has referred you to us, know that we are used to working as a team to secure the strongest possible outcome.

Talk With a Lawyer About a Tabletop Fire Pit Injury

If you or someone you love was burned by a tabletop fire pit or mini fireplace, whether it happened around a backyard table, on a patio, or during a family gathering indoors, you do not have to navigate this alone.

You can contact McEldrew Purtell for a free, confidential evaluation of your potential case. We can review what happened, help you understand your options, and advise whether a lawsuit may be appropriate.

You’ve already been through enough. Our job is to handle the legal and investigative burden so you can focus on healing.