Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit Alleges Defective Design Caused Flame Jetting Burn Injuries

Tabletop fire pit lawsuits claim inadequate safety features can expose users to risks of flame jetting incidents and other explosions.

A California man has filed a lawsuit alleging a Colsen tabletop fire pit exploded while he was refilling it, causing him to suffer catastrophic third-degree burns.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Anthony J. Trevino in San Diego County Superior Court on August 5, naming Amazon.com Inc., Gusar LLC and Colsen Fire Pits LLC as the defendants. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on August 28.

Trevino claims the companies knew or should have known tabletop alcohol-burning fire pits posed a serious flame-jetting hazard, yet failed to adequately design the product or warn consumers.

Tabletop Fire Pit Dangers

Tabletop fire pits are compact, portable devices that burn liquid alcohol or similar fuels to produce an open flame for warmth, ambience or cooking. Depending on the design, they may be used on patios, decks and balconies, and some models are marketed for indoor use.

Many require users to pour liquid fuel into an exposed reservoir before ignition or refueling. Because the fuel can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, spills or pooled fuel may ignite quickly and cause severe burns within seconds.

Reports of serious tabletop fire pit burn injuries have increased in recent years, involving both people operating or refilling the devices and bystanders caught in sudden fires or explosions.

A growing number of tabletop fire pit lawsuits now allege manufacturers, distributors and retailers sold dangerously designed products without adequate safety features, refueling instructions or warnings about hazards such as nearly invisible flames and flame jetting.

Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit Flame Jet Allegations

According to the complaint, Trevino is a former Navy helicopter search-and-rescue swimmer who lives in San Diego. On February 28, 2021, he purchased a Colsen “Tabletop Rubbing Alcohol Fireplace” through Amazon, along with two 64-ounce bottles of medical-grade isopropyl alcohol that Amazon’s recommendation system allegedly suggested for use with the device.

The complaint alleges the recommended fuel containers lacked flame arresters, which are intended to help prevent flames from traveling back into a container and causing a sudden fire or explosion.

On September 17, 2025, Trevino was using the fire pit on his apartment balcony when he attempted to refill it after believing the flame had gone out. According to the complaint, a flame was still burning and ignited the incoming fuel, causing a flame-jetting incident that struck him in the face and body.

The lawsuit says the fire was intense enough to melt a decorative light, char the balcony fence and damage artificial grass. Trevino allegedly suffered third-degree burns to his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands and fingers and remained hospitalized for several weeks.

He claims the injuries left him with permanent scarring, disfigurement, chronic pain and other limitations that continue to affect his daily life.

“Plaintiff’s life has been forever altered. He will have to endure a lifetime of scarring, disfigurement, and pain, all because of the dangerous defects in the Colsen Fire Pits and Defendants’ actions in manufacturing, distributing, marketing, and selling those products.”

— Anthony J. Trevino v. Amazon.com Inc. et al.

The complaint also notes that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered a mandatory recall of Colsen fire pits in late 2024, including the model Trevino purchased, because of flame-jetting and fire-spreading hazards.

While Amazon ultimately emailed purchasers about the recall, Trevino alleges the notice did not adequately explain the risk of catastrophic burn injuries or offer a refund. He also says he never saw the email.

Trevino raises allegations of negligent product liability, design defect, failure to warn of defective condition and breach of the implied warranty of merchantability. He seeks general and special damages for loss of earnings and medical expenses.

Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuits

With recalls and reports of severe burn injuries continuing to emerge, attorneys are investigating potential tabletop fire pit lawsuits nationwide on behalf of individuals who suffered any of the following injuries due to a fire pit explosion:

• Second- and third-degree burns
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve damage or impaired mobility
• Respiratory injuries caused by flames, smoke or burning fuel
• Severe injuries caused by sudden flare-ups during refueling
• Fatal burn injuries

Individuals who suffered these injuries may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages related to the incident.

Tabletop fire pit attorneys are offering free consultations to review whether a device may have been defective, subject to a recall or involved in a preventable burn incident, and to explain what legal options may be available.

All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees or expenses and attorneys are paid only if compensation is recovered.

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