Amazon Fire Pit Safety Warnings Issued to Customers Amid Burn Injury Lawsuits

Notices are being sent amid a growing number of tabletop fire pit burn injury victims filing lawsuits against the retailer, for selling unreasonably dangerous fire pits that are prone to flame-jetting problems while refueling.

Amazon has recently sent out another round of warning emails to customers who purchased tabletop fire pits linked to severe burn injuries, as the company faces a growing number of lawsuits attempting to hold it responsible for dangerous and defective products that it sold for years.

Alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pits have been marketed as stylish home accessories that create a cozy flame effect indoors or on patios. However, when users attempt to refill them before the flame is fully extinguished, the vapors can ignite in what is known as flame jetting, a blast of fire that shoots out of the container and can engulf nearby clothing, furniture or skin in seconds.

A growing number of tabletop fire pit explosion stories in recent years have detailed gruesome injuries and terrifying incidents when these portable fire pits suddenly erupted into flames. Victims have described suffering severe burns to the face, hands and torso, with some accidents proving fatal.

Tabletop Fire Pit Recalls Over Explosion Risks

Amid these reports, a series of tabletop fire pit recalls and government alerts have been announced for multiple brands, including:

• October 2024: Nearly 90,000 Colsen-brand tabletop fire pits were recalled after at least 31 reports of flames escaping and 19 burn injuries.
• December 2024: The CPSC issued a nationwide consumer alert warning that alcohol and liquid-fuel fire pits that violate safety standards had caused two deaths and dozens of severe burn injuries since 2019.
• June 2025: The agency warned consumers to stop using FLÎKRfire tabletop fireplaces, linking the brand to flame-jetting and pool-fire hazards and two fatal incidents involving elderly victims.
• September 2025: Five Below recalled approximately 66,000 tabletop fire pits after reports that leaking fuel caused flash fires and burn injuries.

These repeated recalls highlight how widespread and dangerous the problem has become, with many of the defective fire pits sold directly through Amazon.

Now, while Amazon’s warning emails describe the effort as part of a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall, the timing has raised questions about whether Amazon’s campaign is more about consumer protection, or corporate damage control, as the company faces a number of tabletop fire pit lawsuits for its role in selling defective and unregulated fire pits through its online marketplace.

Amazon’s Fire Pit Safety Notices

Amazon has begun issuing direct recall emails to customers who previously purchased tabletop fire pits through its online marketplace, many of which were sold under Colsen-style or unbranded listings and fulfilled directly by Amazon.

The messages, titled “Important Safety Warning” and “Fire Pit Safety Notice Reminder,” are being distributed on behalf of the manufacturers as part of a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall campaign.

In one of the initial notices sent in December 2024 to customers who ordered small, concrete tabletop fire pits fueled by isopropyl alcohol, Amazon included the product photo and order details from the user’s account, followed by a red warning banner. The message read:

“We’re writing to let you know about a potential safety issue with a product you purchased on Amazon.com.”

It instructed consumers to stop using the product immediately due to the risk of flash fires and explosions during refueling, and provided a link to request a refund or follow updated disposal instructions.

A second message, titled “Fire Pit Safety Notice Reminder,” was sent nearly ten months later in October 2025, echoing the same warning and reminding customers to verify whether their purchase was part of an active recall. The follow-up again cautioned:

“If you still have this product, we urge you to stop using it immediately.”

Consumer Safety and Corporate Accountability

Amazon’s decision to send safety notices highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding the company’s role in selling dangerous tabletop fire pits that have caused devastating injuries. While the warnings give the impression of a proactive safety measure, they come after years of mounting complaints, product recalls, and federal pressure urging Amazon to take responsibility for hazardous products sold on its platform.

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has already determined that Amazon must act as a responsible distributor under the law. Earlier this year, the agency issued a Final Decision and Order requiring Amazon to notify customers directly and post recall information on its website for more than 400,000 hazardous products previously sold through its marketplace, including items like flammable sleepwear, faulty carbon monoxide detectors and defective electronics.

The CPSC’s ruling came after years of back-and-forth in which Amazon resisted recall responsibilities, arguing that it merely provided an online storefront for third-party sellers. Regulators disagreed, finding that Amazon’s control over order fulfillment and shipping gives it a clear role in product safety enforcement.

That same reluctance is now mirrored in Amazon’s approach to the tabletop fire pit recalls. Although the company is finally sending safety notices to consumers, the move follows a pattern of reactive compliance, taking action only after injuries, lawsuits, and regulators forced its hand.

Amazon Named in Burn Injury Lawsuits

One of those recently filed complaints, Thauberger v. Gusar LLC and Amazon.com Inc., which was filed in U.S. District Court, details the case of a consumer who suffered third-degree burns when a Colsen-brand tabletop fire pit, purchased directly through Amazon, ignited during refueling.

The lawsuit claims the fire pit was defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous, lacking necessary safety components to prevent “flame jetting” and explosions.

The plaintiff accuses Amazon of:

• Selling and distributing a defective product that posed a high risk of fire and burn injuries
• Failing to warn consumers that the flame from alcohol fuel can be nearly invisible, leading users to believe the device was extinguished
• Continuing to advertise the fire pits as “safe and odorless” even after multiple injury reports and recalls
• Recommending unsafe fuel sources, such as isopropyl alcohol, which are prone to vapor ignition and explosion

The lawsuit argues that Amazon acted not only as a third-party marketplace but as a direct seller and distributor, handling marketing, fulfillment and shipping, and therefore bears responsibility for ensuring product safety.

The case is one of several filed nationwide that allege Amazon’s negligence contributed to the ongoing series of tabletop fire pit explosions and injuries.

What Consumers Should Do

Customers who purchased tabletop fire pits from Amazon should immediately:

• Stop using the device, even if it appears safe
• Review their email and Amazon account for safety notices or refund options
• Follow the recall instructions provided by the manufacturer or Amazon

Anyone who suffered burn injuries or property damage from a recalled tabletop fire pit may be entitled to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and long-term injuries. Tabletop fire pit recall lawyers provide free consultations for individuals to determine if they may be eligible for compensation.