Marshalls Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion Led to Skin Grafts, Lawsuit

To light the devices, tabletop fire pit manufacturers recommend the use of fuel bottles prone to flashbacks and flame jetting, lawsuits claim.

A Washington state couple says they were following the manufacturer’s instructions on relighting a Marshalls tabletop fire pit when a bottle of fuel exploded, covering both of them with flaming liquid, resulting in severe burn injuries and permanent disfigurement.

Michael and Diana Molloy filed a complaint (PDF) against The TJX Companies Inc., which does business as Marshalls, on September 29, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, indicating that the fire pit was defectively designed, and seeking damages for their injuries.

Portable tabletop fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years and are intended to create decorative flames for ambiance on patios, decks or indoor spaces. The fire pits feature a central fuel reservoir that burns liquid fuels such as ethanol or alcohol-based gels. Their compact size and sleek designs have made them a trendy alternative to full-sized fire pits

However, the use of flammable liquids in tabletop fire pits can lead to sudden flare-ups, invisible flames or splashing fuel, which can cause flame jetting and flashback, where the fuel ignites while being poured into the pit, causing the bottle to explode, and spraying those nearby with flames.

Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion Recalls

Following a number of high-profile reports of tabletop fire pit burn injuries and deaths, as well as repeated warnings, several tabletop fire pit recalls have been announced in recent months, including a Colsen tabletop fire pit recall announced last October that affected nearly 100,000 units and involved 19 burn injuries, and a Five Below Tabletop Fire Pit recall affecting about 66,000 fire pits.

As a result of these recalls, the Molloys’ claim joins a growing number of other tabletop fire pit lawsuits filed by individuals nationwide who say they suffered burn injuries that could have been prevented if the fire pits had better designs, such as flame indicators, or provided fuel bottles with flame arrestors.

According to the complaint, the couple purchased the tabletop fire pit at a Marshalls in Washington in December 2024. However, they did not use the device until Memorial Day, on May 26 of this year.

The Molloys indicated they followed the Usage Guide, lit the fire pit, and when the flame ran out and the device was no longer hot, Michael Malloy attempted to relight the fire using a bottle of ethanol fireplace fuel, as recommended.

When he added the fuel, flames erupted and went up the stream, into the bottle, and exploded. The bottle was blown out of his hands, spraying burning ethanol onto Diane Molloy, his wife.

He suffered third-degree burns on his left hand, wrist, and forearm that required 22 square centimeters of skin autograft. His wife received second degree burns to her face and ear, right arm and right hip.

“Many consumers who have used fire pits like this one have died or been catastrophically injured. Flame jetting is dangerous to the person holding the container and anyone nearby. There are cases when as many as five people around a fire pit were burned during a flame jetting incident.”

– Michael and Diana Molloy v. The TJX Companies Inc.

Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuits

As a result of the dangerous and defective designs that have been widely sold through Amazon.com and other major retailers, 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 alcohol-fueled 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.