Lawsuit Claims Flame Jetting From Tabletop Fire Pit Sold on Amazon Caused Severe Burn Injuries

Amazon began issuing fire pit safety warnings the same month that a woman suffered “catastrophic” burn injuries.

A Florida woman’s product liability lawsuit indicates she suffered severe burn injuries as a result of the defective design of a tabletop fire pit sold through Amazon.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Elizabeth Etkin, and her husband, Michael Tierney, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on January 5, naming Amazon.com Inc., Amazon.com Services LLC, and Suzhou Tengli Maoyouxian Gongsi, which does business as Cenmesy, as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, the couple purchased a Poofzy tabletop fire pit from Amazon.com, which was delivered in November 2024 and first used on December 22. After initially lighting the fire pit with a small amount of ethanol fuel and decorative stones, the flames appeared to extinguish. When a small amount of additional fuel was added, the alcohol allegedly ignited without warning, causing a flashback toward the fuel container. 

Etkin states that flames jetted from the container, spraying her and her home with burning denatured alcohol, resulting in catastrophic burns to her face and a large portion of her body.

The complaint joins a growing number of similar tabletop fire pit lawsuits brought against Amazon and various different manufacturers and retailers, alleging that the serious design defects associated with the products were ignored for years.

Tabletop fire pits are small, decorative pieces intended for use either indoors or outdoors, which are fueled using rubbing alcohol or similar products. However, consumers and federal regulators have also reported a growing number of tabletop fire pit explosions, in which sudden jets of flame erupt during refueling, triggering flash fires that ignite clothing, furniture or anyone standing nearby.

In 2024, nearly 90,000 Colsen brand fire pits sold by Amazon, Walmart, Sharper Image and elsewhere were recalled following reports of at least 19 burn injuries. More recently, Five Below recalled approximately 66,000 tabletop fire pits in September 2025, due to reports of leaking fuel causing flash fires and burn injuries.

In December 2024, at about the same time Etkin suffered her injuries, Amazon began issuing direct recall emails to customers who 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 emails urged consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Amazon fire pits due to the risk of flash fires and explosions during refueling. They also provided a link for consumers to request a refund or obtain additional follow-up information. A follow-up warning was sent in October 2025.

Those warnings should have either come much earlier, or Amazon and the manufacturer should have recognized the risks and corrected them, Etkin’s lawsuit states.

“Prior to the sale of the Subject Fire Pit, there was a wealth of information available in the public domain about flame mitigation devices, patents for flame mitigation devices from the 1800s, consumer safety articles discussing the need for flame arrestors, the catastrophic burn injuries that result from preventable fire pit flame jetting events, and the relatively inexpensive alternative designs that can prevent injuries such as those suffered by Plaintiff.”

– Elizabeth Etkin et al v. Amazon.com LLC et al

The lawsuit suggests the fire pit should have been sold with a fuel container that uses a flame arrestor to prevent flame jetting, or an automatic fuel pump sold with the fire pit.

Etkin and her husband present claims of negligence and strict liability.

Amazon Fire Pit Lawsuits

With injuries like those suffered by Etkin being increasingly reported, attorneys nationwide are now investigating potential Amazon fire pit lawsuits, as well as lawsuits involving other tabletop fire pit designs, for individuals who may be liable for compensation after suffering burn injuries from flame jetting, flashbacks and explosions.

Injuries reported from tabletop fire pits include:

• Second- and third-degree burns requiring medical care
• Permanent scarring, nerve damage or reduced mobility
• Breathing injuries caused by sudden fire eruptions
• Burns to children or nearby bystanders
• Accidents involving flame jetting during refueling
• Fatal injuries linked to fire pit explosions
• Lost wages or time away from work
• Extended medical treatment, hospitalization or rehabilitation
• Long-term disfigurement or psychological trauma

Those who believe they may qualify can submit their information for a free case review. A tabletop fire pit attorney can help confirm which product was involved, determine whether the injury is connected to a recalled or dangerous model and outline available legal options.

These cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless a recovery is made.

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