NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel Recall: Unexpected Combustion Risk

NAPAfire and FIREGEL fuel gel is being pulled from store shelves after nearly two dozen reports of burn injuries that occurred when the gel ignited unexpectedly. 

The NAPAfire and FIREGEL recall was announced on June 22 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after Napa Home & Garden, the manufacturer, received at least 37 reports of unexpected ignition, including 23 reports of burns. The incidents usually occurred when people were pouring the gel into a firepot.

The gel fuel is used in firepots and other decorative lighting devices and sold at home and garden stores nationwide. According to the recall announcement, consumers often failed to notice that the firepot was still burning when they went to refill it with the gel. The gel then ignites unexpectedly and splatters, causing burn injuries and creating a fire hazard.

The recall affects about 460,000 bottles of NAPAfire and FIREGEL gel fuel sold in clear one-quart plastic bottles and one-gallon plastic jugs. The gel fuel is sold in non-scented and citronella scented versions.

The fuel was sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, Shopko, Restoration Hardware, furniture, gift shops and home and garden stores and was also sold online at Amazon.com and through catalogs for home decorators and landscapers. The gel has been on sale since December 2009 and sold for between $5 and $78.

The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately stop using the pourable fuel gel in firepots and suggests they return all bottles or jugs to the place of purchase for a full refund. Napa Home & Garden is evaluating a retrofit for the firepots, but it is not yet available.

Consumers with questions can call Napa Home & Garden at 1-888-893-2323 and can visit the company’s website at www.napahomeandgarden.com.