Walmart Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit Claims Exploding Device Caused Second-Degree Burns to Multiple Bystanders

Lawsuit alleges Walmart continued selling a tabletop fire pit after federal safety regulators warned the products were “extremely dangerous” and linked to dozens of injuries and multiple deaths.

Three Louisiana residents have filed a tabletop fire pit lawsuit claiming they suffered severe burns when bioethanol fuel suddenly erupted in flames as they refilled a fire pit purchased at Walmart.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Reginald Valentine, Karman Valentine and Kelbie Green in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on June 4, naming Walmart Inc. as the sole defendant.

The plaintiffs claim Walmart continued to market and sell ZIB Tabletop Fire Pits despite a federal safety warning that urged retailers to stop selling similar products because of the risk of “flame jetting” explosions.

Tabletop Fire Pit Safety Concerns

Tabletop fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years as decorative features for patios, backyards and indoor living spaces. Many models use liquid fuels, such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, to produce an open flame in a compact, portable design.

However, safety experts have warned that certain liquid-fueled fire pits may present serious burn and fire hazards if they are not properly designed. In some cases, flammable vapors can ignite unexpectedly during refueling, triggering flash fires, flame jetting events or explosions that have resulted in severe tabletop fire pit burn injuries and deaths.

Those concerns have led to a growing number of tabletop fire pit lawsuits alleging that certain products contain dangerous design defects, fail to comply with applicable safety standards and do not adequately warn consumers about the risks associated with their use.

Fire Pit Explosion Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Karman Valentine purchased the tabletop fire pit from Walmart.com on May 29, 2025. The plaintiffs claim the device was among a category of liquid-burning fire pits that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had already identified as hazardous because they require users to pour flammable liquid fuel into an open reservoir where it is later ignited.

The alleged incident occurred on June 15, 2025, while Reginald Valentine was adding bioethanol fuel to the fire pit’s reservoir. Plaintiffs claim a flame suddenly traveled out of the fuel container and into the surrounding area, striking Reginald, Karman and Kelbie.

Reginald suffered second-degree burns to his hands and right forearm, while Karman sustained second-degree burns to both forearms. The lawsuit indicates Kelbie suffered the most serious injuries, including second- and third-degree burns to her face, neck, chest and upper extremities, covering approximately 20% to 25% of her body. She continues to suffer facial scarring.

Plaintiffs contend the injuries were caused by a phenomenon known as flame jetting, which can occur when vapors from flammable liquids ignite during refueling, causing a sudden burst of flames to shoot from a container.

“The subject fire pit and its manual are devoid of any description of flame jetting; feature no depiction or illustration of flame jetting; and no warning regarding flame jetting can be found.”

— Reginald Valentine et al. v. Walmart Inc.

The lawsuit leans heavily on a December 2024 CPSC consumer alert that warned consumers and retailers about liquid-burning fire pits that use isopropyl alcohol, ethanol or similar fuels. According to the complaint, the agency warned that the products violate ASTM F3363-19 voluntary safety standards and present risks of both pool fires and flame jetting events.

The CPSC described the products as “extremely dangerous” and urged sellers to stop offering them for sale. The agency also noted that similar products had been associated with at least 60 injuries and two deaths since 2019, according to the complaint.

Plaintiffs allege Walmart ignored those warnings and continued selling the fire pits through its online marketplace months later.

The lawsuit raises allegations of violations of the Louisiana Products Liability Act. It seeks damages for physical injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life.

Tabletop Fire Pit Injury Lawsuits

As reports of accidents continue to emerge, attorneys are reviewing claims for tabletop fire pit lawsuits involving consumers who suffered burns and other injuries during incidents involving unexpected flare-ups, flash fires and flame jetting events.

Alleged injuries associated with these products have included:

• Second- and third-degree burn injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve damage and loss of mobility
• Smoke inhalation and respiratory injuries
• Burns affecting children and nearby bystanders
• Fires occurring while fuel was being added to the device
• Fatal injuries resulting from fire pit explosions
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation and reconstructive procedures
• Psychological trauma and emotional distress

Individuals who have suffered a tabletop fire pit injury may be eligible to pursue compensation through a product liability lawsuit. Attorneys investigating potential claims can help identify the product involved, determine whether it was subject to safety warnings or recalls, and evaluate available legal remedies.

Lawyers handling tabletop fire pit cases work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and attorney fees are only collected if a recovery is obtained.

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