Lawsuit Alleges Portable Fire Pit Sold on Amazon.com Caused Flashback Burn Injuries

CPSC began warning about portable fire pit flashback injury risks shortly after a 17-year-old girl suffered severe burns across her face, upper arms, abdomen and right leg.

A teenage girl suffered severe burns when a fire flashed back into a container of rubbing alcohol, which was being used to light her parents’ portable fire pit purchased on Amazon.com, even though the family was following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Imari Taylor in South Carolina federal court on August 18, naming Amazon.com and Suzhou Tengli Maoyi Youxian Gonsi as defendants, indicating that the companies sold and manufactured defective Cenmesy and Poofzy fire pits, without providing adequate instructions for the safe use of the alcohol-fueled devices.

According to the lawsuit, Taylor was 17 years old in late September 2024 when she was sitting around her parents’ portable Poofzy-brand fire pit, which they bought on Amazon.com. A relative attempted to relight the fire pit using rubbing alcohol when the fuel vapors caught fire and flashed back into the alcohol container.

This resulted in what is known as a “flame jet”, which caused the burning rubbing alcohol to explode out of the bottle and onto Taylor, causing serious burns to her face, upper extremities, right leg and abdomen.

The lawsuit argues that Taylor’s burns could have been avoided if the fire pit was sold with a fuel container that used a flame arrestor, which prevents fire from flashing back into the container. Instead, the instructions actually encourage the use of rubbing alcohol as a fuel source, without warning of the possible flame jet risks.

Taylor’s complaint joins a growing number of similar portable fire pit lawsuits filed in federal courts nationwide over the past year, each involving similar allegations that the fire pits are unsafe because consumers are not made aware of the flashback risks or that they should use fuel containers with flame arrestors.

In the lawsuit, Taylor indicates her burns could have been prevented with the addition of adequate safety features and proper instructions and label warnings.

“Prior to the sale of the subject fire pit, the Defendants knew or should have known that fuel containers that lack flame mitigation devices are susceptible to flashback ignitions and flame jetting.”

– Taylor v. Amazon.com Inc., et al

Just a month after Taylor was burned, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a Colsen tabletop fire pit recall, affecting nearly 100,000 similar units that were linked to reports of flash fires, flame jets, invisible alcohol flames and explosions leading to serious injuries.

Two months later, the CPSC issued another warning that similar incidents were occurring involving other fire pits as well, saying the same risks are found with any similar liquid fuel-burning fire pit that lacks flame arrestors, spill guards and visible flame indicators.

At least 60 injuries and two deaths have been linked to tabletop fire pits since 2019, according to the CPSC.

Taylor’s lawsuit indicates her injuries were “severe and catastrophic,” resulting in permanent injuries and requiring continuing future medical care. She presents claims of strict liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty of merchantability.

Fire Pit Lawsuits

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