Tabletop Fire Pit Injuries: The Hidden Burn and Flame-Jetting Dangers Consumers Should Know

Photos courtesy U.S. CSPC

Small tabletop fire pits have become increasingly popular on patios, porches, balconies, and outdoor entertaining spaces. Often marketed as decorative fireplaces or convenient ways to create a small open flame for ambiance or roasting marshmallows, many of these products appear relatively harmless.

But a growing number of recalls, federal safety warnings, serious burn injuries and lawsuits are raising concerns about some alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pits.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned consumers about a particularly dangerous phenomenon known as “flame jetting.” The agency has also warned about uncontrolled pool fires caused by alcohol and other liquid fuels. These incidents can happen suddenly and can result in severe burns, permanent scarring, disfigurement, and even death.

For South Carolina families who own a tabletop fire pit or have used one at a friend’s home, rental property, restaurant, or gathering, it is important to understand the potential danger.

What Makes Some Tabletop Fire Pits So Dangerous?

Many of the products involved in recent recalls and warnings use isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, bioethanol, or another liquid fuel.

Unlike a traditional wood-burning backyard fire pit, certain tabletop models contain an open reservoir into which the user pours liquid fuel and then ignites it.

The CPSC has warned consumers not to buy or use fire pits that require users to pour alcohol or another liquid fuel into an open container or bowl and ignite the pooled liquid in that same location. According to the agency, these designs can create two particularly serious hazards: uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting.

Alcohol flames can also be difficult to see. A consumer may believe the fire has gone out and attempt to add more fuel while a small flame is still burning.

That can create the conditions for flame jetting.

What Is Flame Jetting?

Flame jetting can occur when someone pours liquid alcohol into a fire pit that is still burning.

A flame that is difficult to see can ignite the alcohol vapor as fuel is being poured. Fire can then travel back toward the fuel container and cause burning liquid and flames to be forcefully propelled toward the person filling the fire pit—or toward other people standing nearby.

This is not simply a matter of someone touching a hot surface.

The result can be an explosive burst of fire capable of reaching people who may not even be operating the fire pit.

The CPSC reports that isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and similar fuels can produce flame temperatures exceeding 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause third-degree burns in less than one second.

Navy Veteran Files Lawsuit After Alleged Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion

A lawsuit reported by the Los Angeles Times in August 2026 illustrates how devastating these incidents can allegedly become.

Former U.S. Navy search-and-rescue swimmer Anthony Trevino filed suit against Amazon and manufacturers associated with a Colsen tabletop alcohol-burning fire pit after the product allegedly erupted into a fireball while he was refilling it.

According to the lawsuit, Trevino had purchased the tabletop fire pit through Amazon in 2021. In September 2025, he was reportedly using it on his apartment balcony when the fire pit allegedly exploded during refueling.

The lawsuit alleges that Trevino suffered third-degree burns involving his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands, and fingers and required weeks of hospitalization. The fire reportedly was powerful enough to damage the balcony area around him.

The allegations are important because Colsen fire pits had already become the subject of significant federal safety action.

Nearly 90,000 Colsen Fire Pits Recalled

In October 2024, the CPSC announced the recall of approximately 89,500 Colsen-branded fire pits because of flame-jetting and fire-spreading hazards.

The recalled products included several indoor/outdoor tabletop models with concrete reservoirs intended to hold burning liquid alcohol.

At the time of the recall, the CPSC reported 31 incidents involving flame jetting or flames escaping from the container and 19 burn injuries. Two incidents reportedly caused third-degree burns over more than 40% of the victims’ bodies. At least six incidents involved consequences including surgery, burn-center treatment, prolonged medical care, disability, loss of function, physical therapy, or permanent disfigurement.

The products had been sold through Colsen’s website as well as Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, Sharper Image, FlipShop, Grommet, Meta, and TikTok.

The CPSC advised consumers to immediately stop using the recalled products and dispose of them.

Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pits Recalled in August 2026

Colsen is far from the only brand involved.

On August 13, 2026, Southern Telecom announced a recall of approximately 48,700 Brookstone-branded tabletop fire pits because of the risk of uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting.

The recall covers Brookstone models BSFIREPIT01, BSFIREPIT02, and BSFIREPIT03. According to the CPSC, Southern Telecom received two reports of flame jetting and flames escaping the concrete container. Both resulted in injuries, including second- and third-degree burns.

The products were sold nationwide through Macy’s, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Indoff, iBuy, and Newton Buying Corp., as well as through online retailers.

Consumers with one of these products should stop using it and follow the CPSC recall instructions.

Five Below Tabletop Fire Pits

In September 2025, approximately 66,000 tabletop fire pits sold by Five Below were recalled.

According to the CPSC, alcohol fuel could splash or leak from the reservoir during use or ignition, potentially creating a flash fire with larger and hotter flames escaping the unit.

The recalled products included smooth black-base and beveled gray-base models and were sold at Five Below stores nationwide and online between April 2024 and August 2025.

Because Five Below operates stores throughout South Carolina, this nationwide retail recall is particularly important for consumers in our state who may have purchased an inexpensive tabletop fire pit without realizing it was later recalled.

Other Tabletop Fire Pit Brands Subject to Federal Safety Warnings

The growing list of CPSC actions shows that the concern extends beyond a single manufacturer.

FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces: The CPSC warned consumers to stop using FLIKRFIRE alcohol-fueled tabletop fireplaces after the products were associated with two deaths and serious burn injuries. The agency warned of both uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting. The products had been sold through numerous online retailers, including Amazon, Macy’s, Nordstrom, CB2, and Neiman Marcus.

Rozato Tabletop Fire Pits: In April 2026, the CPSC warned consumers to immediately stop using Rozato tabletop fire pits. The products have been associated with one death and multiple burn injuries. They were sold through Amazon and several other websites.

Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces: In May 2026, the CPSC issued a warning involving Northlight models IF91990, IF91991, IF91992, IF91993, IF91994, IF91996 and IF91997. These products were sold through major retailers including Target.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, and HomeDepot.com.

Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits: In July 2026, the CPSC warned consumers to stop using Houswise Vesper, Altair, Quad, and Astra tabletop fire pits. At least 53,500 units were involved. The agency reported more than two dozen incidents involving flame jetting, fuel leakage, or unexpectedly high flames, and seven injuries, including third-degree burns. The products were sold through Amazon, Walmart and other websites.

These recalls and warnings are particularly important because consumers may encounter the products under different names, designs and retailers while the underlying hazard remains similar.

The CPSC Has Warned Against an Entire Category of Liquid-Fuel Fire Pits

Perhaps the most significant warning is broader than any particular brand.

The CPSC has urged consumers not to buy or use fire pits designed to burn pooled alcohol or other liquid fuel when the fuel is poured into an open container and ignited in the same location.

The agency reported that these types of products had been associated with at least two deaths and 60 injuries since 2019, when it issued its broader consumer alert. The CPSC also stated that fire pits with this design violate requirements contained in the voluntary ASTM F3363-19 safety standard.

In other words, consumers should not assume a tabletop fire pit is safe simply because their particular brand has not appeared on a recall list.

Children and Bystanders Can Also Be Seriously Injured

One of the most troubling aspects of flame jetting is that the person pouring the fuel may not be the only person at risk.

A fireball or burning liquid can travel away from the fire pit and strike nearby family members, guests, or children.

That makes tabletop fire pits particularly concerning when they are used as centerpieces during gatherings or for roasting marshmallows—activities that naturally encourage people to sit or stand close to the flame.

A severe burn can result in emergency transportation, hospitalization, skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and years of follow-up care. Survivors may also experience permanent scars, limited mobility, nerve damage, and other lasting effects.

What Should You Do If You Own a Tabletop Fire Pit?

Consumers should check the CPSC recall and product-warning database for the manufacturer and model of any tabletop fire pit they own.

If the CPSC has instructed consumers to stop using a particular product, take that warning seriously. Do not continue using a recalled product simply because it has worked without incident in the past.

Consumers should also be extremely cautious about any product requiring liquid alcohol or similar fuel to be poured directly into an open reservoir. Never assume that an alcohol flame is extinguished simply because you cannot see it.

For products covered by a CPSC warning, follow the agency’s specific instructions regarding refunds, disposal, or other remedies.

Who May Be Responsible for a Defective Fire Pit Injury?

When someone suffers serious burns because of an allegedly defective consumer product, determining responsibility requires an investigation into how the product was designed, manufactured, labeled, marketed, and sold.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, a product liability claim may involve manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers or other businesses within the product’s chain of distribution.

Important evidence can disappear quickly after a fire. The fire pit itself, fuel container, packaging, instructions, warnings, purchase records, photographs and videos may all become important evidence.

If you have been injured, speak with an attorney before disposing of the product or other evidence unless authorities require otherwise for immediate safety reasons.

Injured by a Tabletop Fire Pit in South Carolina? Contact Steinberg Law Firm

A severe burn injury can change someone’s life in seconds. Victims may face hospitalization, surgery, extensive medical bills, time away from work, permanent scarring, and long-term physical limitations.

When the injury may have resulted from a dangerously designed or defective fire pit, the person injured deserves answers about what happened and whether a manufacturer, seller, or other company may be legally responsible.

Steinberg Law Firm represents injured people and families throughout South Carolina. Our attorneys can investigate the product involved, preserve evidence, examine applicable recalls and safety warnings, and determine whether there may be a claim against the companies responsible for manufacturing, distributing or selling the product.

If you or a family member suffered serious burns or other injuries involving a tabletop fire pit, portable fireplace, or alcohol-fueled fire product, contact Steinberg Law Firm for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.