Amazon Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit Alleges ‘Flame-Jetting’ Caused Third Degree Burns

Manufacturers recommend consumers use fuel sources not equipped with flame arrestors, which led to the Amazon fire pit explosion, according to lawsuit.

A Canadian woman says design problems with a tabletop fire pit sold on Amazon.com led to her being engulfed in flames and suffering third-degree burns while visiting her daughter in Colorado.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Carolyn Thauberger in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado earlier this year, naming Gusar LLC and Amazon.com Inc. as the defendants.

A court order (PDF) issued late last month scheduled the first status conference between the parties for September 18. The case is one of a growing number of tabletop fire pit lawsuits brought over products sold on Amazon and through other retailers in recent years.

The fire pits are often marketed as stylish indoor and outdoor accent pieces, and are designed to run on flammable liquid fuels, like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or methanol. However, over the past year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a number of recalls and warnings, alerting the public that the fire pits can erupt violently if refueled or reignited while still hot.

This can lead to a serious risk of flame jetting, where the liquid vapor ignites explosively. Investigators and fire safety officials say the risk is particularly high in enclosed spaces or when the devices are used near people, children or combustible materials. Despite these warnings, new reports of severe burns and disfigurement from tabletop fire pits continue to be reported.

Thauberger’s lawsuit indicates her daughter, Anna, bought the “Colsen” brand fire pit on Amazon.com in December 2021. However, when she visited her daughter in Colorado in September 2024, attempting to use the device resulted in tragedy.

The fire pit was set into the porch of her daughter and son-in-law’s home, when Anna Thauberger lit the fire pit using isopropyl alcohol.

“The Fire Pit burned for a period of time, until it appeared as though the flame had dissipated. After waiting a reasonable period of time, Anna Thauberger went to relight the Fire Pit with the same fuel. Plaintiff was near the Fire Pit at that time when felt a ‘whoosh’ and became engulfed in flames.”

— Carolyn Thauberger, Thauberger v. Amazon.com Inc, et al.

Following the Amazon fire pit explosion, Thauberger was rushed to the hospital, where she had to undergo multiple surgeries to address her injuries, which included third degree burns on her hands and legs, and second degree burns on her face. This has resulted in permanent scars and disfigurement.

Her complaint indicates the Amazon fire pit explosion was caused by a defectively designed product, due to the flame-jetting risks. Flame jets can be prevented by the use of flame arrestors on fuel bottles. However, the defendants recommended the use of isopropyl alcohol with their flame pits, which is not sold with flame arrestors.

The lawsuit argues that by recommending isopropyl alcohol use in the directions, the manufacturers increased the risks of flame-jetting injuries.

The need for flame arrestor-equipped fuel sources to prevent Amazon fire pit explosions has been known by both Canadian and U.S. regulators since at least 2019, according to the lawsuit, and thus so did the manufacturers.

Thauberger presents claims of negligent design, negligent manufacturing, negligent failure to warn, design defect, manufacturing defect, and strict liability failure to warn.

Fire Pit Lawsuits

Tabletop fire pit burn injury lawyers are now investigating claims for individuals throughout the U.S., seeking financial compensation for physical and emotional injuries resulting from these dangerous products.

Injuries linked to tabletop fire pits include:

• Second- or third-degree burns requiring medical treatment
• Permanent scarring, nerve damage or loss of mobility
• Inhalation injuries from sudden fire eruptions
• Fire-related injuries to children or bystanders
• Accidents caused by flame jetting during refueling
• Wrongful death linked to fire pit explosions
• Time away from work or short-term disability due to injuries
• Prolonged medical care, hospitalization or rehabilitation
• Permanent disfigurement or long-term psychological trauma

To find out if you may be eligible for a tabletop fire pit lawsuit settlement, submit your information for a free legal consultation. A lawyer can help identify the product involved, determine if your injuries are linked to a recalled or hazardous model, and explain your legal rights.

All fire pit injury claims are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and no legal fees unless compensation is recovered.