Tabletop fire pits are sold as cozy, “clean burning” decor for patios, balconies, and dinner tables. They burn alcohol or gel fuel in a small open bowl, and that design is behind a growing number of serious burn injuries across the country, many of them suffered by people who were simply adding more fuel.
If you suffered a tabletop fire pit burn injury in Illinois, you may have a product liability claim against the company that made the fire pit, the company that imported it, or the store that sold it. Call Cronauer Law at 815-895-8585 for a free case review.
What Is Flame Jetting?
Flame jetting happens when someone pours fuel into a fire pit that’s still burning or still hot. The flame ignites the vapor around the pouring stream, travels back up into the bottle, and shoots burning fuel out onto the person pouring and anyone sitting nearby. It happens in a fraction of a second, so there’s no time to move out of the way.
What makes it so dangerous is that an alcohol flame can be almost invisible, especially in daylight. People often believe the fire pit is out when it isn’t.
Federal Regulators Told Consumers to Stop Using Them
On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers to stop using fire pits that burn pooled alcohol or other liquid fuel and told sellers to stop selling them. The agency linked these products to two deaths and at least 60 injuries since 2019.
That warning followed a recall of roughly 89,500 Colsen-branded tabletop fire pits and a separate warning about FLIKRFIRE tabletop fireplaces, whose manufacturer is no longer in business. Health Canada had already warned about flame jetting from pourable alcohol fuels and firepots back in October 2019, so this hazard isn’t new to the industry.
Where Were These Tabletop Fire Pits Sold?
These products weren’t sold in a few obscure corners of the internet. Recalled and flagged tabletop fire pits were sold at some of the biggest retailers in the country, both in stores and online.
| Brand | CPSC Action | Sold At |
|---|---|---|
| Colsen | Recall, about 89,500 units (Oct. 2024) | Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, Sharper Image, TikTok Shop, Facebook and Instagram |
| FLIKRFIRE | Stop-use warning (Dec. 2024) | Amazon, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, CB2, Huckberry, Bespoke Post, Touch of Modern, Faire, Shopify stores |
| Brookstone | Recall, about 48,700 units (Aug. 2026) | Macy’s, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Macys.com and other websites |
| Five Below | Recall, about 66,000 units (Sept. 2025) | Five Below stores nationwide and fivebelow.com |
The CPSC has said these alcohol-burning fire pits are sold by many retailers and online sites, so a brand not appearing on this list doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you were burned by any tabletop fire pit, no matter where you bought it, keep the product and your proof of purchase and call us.
How Tabletop Fire Pit Burns Usually Happen
Most of these injuries happen during normal use. The riskiest moment is refueling, when someone pours alcohol into a bowl they think has gone out and leftover heat or a hidden flame ignites the vapor. Other injuries come from spilled fuel catching fire across a table, from a fire pit tipping over, and from clothing or hair catching fire because people sit so close to the flame.
The marketing doesn’t help. Words like “clean burning,” “indoor/outdoor,” “portable,” and “easy to use” tell buyers this is a safe everyday product, and nothing about a faint flame or invisible vapor tells them otherwise.
Common Tabletop Fire Pit Burn Injuries
Alcohol fuel burns extremely hot, and according to the CPSC, it can cause third degree burns in less than a second. Injuries we see in these cases include second and third degree burns to the face, hands, arms, and chest, injuries that require skin grafts, permanent scarring, and burns to bystanders, including children sitting at the same table. In the worst cases, these fires have been fatal.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
A tabletop fire pit usually passes through several hands before it reaches your home: the manufacturer, an importer, a distributor, and a retailer or online marketplace. The company that made the fuel bottle may also be involved. Illinois product liability law can reach companies throughout that chain, which matters when the brand that made the fire pit is overseas or out of business.
There’s also an industry safety standard for these devices, ASTM F3363-19. The CPSC has said fire pits that require you to pour fuel into an open bowl and light it in the same spot violate that standard.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer
Expect the companies involved to argue that flame jetting never happened, that they aren’t legally a “seller,” or that you should have known the flame was still lit. Beating those arguments takes fire cause-and-origin experts, product engineers, and warnings experts, and it takes the physical evidence. That’s why getting a lawyer involved early makes a real difference.
What to Do After a Tabletop Fire Pit Burn
- Get medical care right away, at a burn center if possible.
- Keep the fire pit, fuel bottle, and packaging. Don’t use them, but don’t throw them away.
- Save your receipt, order confirmation, or a screenshot of the product listing.
- Take photos of your injuries and the scene, and write down who was there.
- Talk to a lawyer before giving a statement to any insurance company or seller.
What Cronauer Law Can Do for You
Our Illinois product liability lawyers trace the fire pit back through every company that made, imported, and sold it, preserve the evidence, and bring in the experts these cases need. Hablamos español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue if the fire pit was never recalled?
Yes, possibly. A recall isn’t required to bring a product liability claim. What matters is whether the product was defectively designed, made, or labeled.
Can I sue the store or website that sold me the fire pit?
In some cases, yes. Illinois law can hold sellers responsible for a defective product, especially when the manufacturer can’t be reached or is out of business.
How long do I have to file a claim in Illinois?
Most injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years, and product liability cases can have additional deadlines, so it’s best to call a lawyer as early as possible.
Burned by a Tabletop Fire Pit? Call Cronauer Law
If you or someone you love was burned by a tabletop fire pit or firepit fuel, you may be entitled to far more than your medical bills. Call Cronauer Law at 815-895-8585 for a free consultation.