Tailgater Audio Firepit Lawsuit Filed After Built-In Speaker Battery Causes Fire

Audio firepits have grown in popularity in recent years, due to the ambiance that can be created with the help of their audiovisual properties.

An insurance company has filed a lawsuit alleging that a defective Ukiah brand Tailgater audio firepit ignited due to a faulty lithium-ion battery in the device, which resulted in extensive damage to a client’s property.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by American Select Insurance Company in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on November 5, naming Ukiah Co. and JAM Trading LLC as defendants.

Audio firepits are typically propane-powered units equipped with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and music-sync features that make the flames “dance” to the rhythm of a connected device. These portable systems rely on a rechargeable battery to power the audio components, allowing users to stream music wirelessly from their phones.

Although they are generally considered safe to use, audio firepits do contain lithium-ion batteries, which have been known to cause fires, in addition to possessing an open flame, which should always be treated with caution.

Portable Fire Pit Explosions

In recent months, other types of portable fire pits, particularly alcohol-fueled units, have been involved in a rising number of tabletop fire pit burn injuries after erupting in flames, resulting in severe burns and fatalities.

Those incidents have led to recalls of popular Colsen and FLÎKRfire brands, as well as several tabletop fire pit lawsuits filed by those who claim the manufacturer failed to warn consumers about the risk of flame-jetting and other fire hazards.

In the new lawsuit, American Select explains that its insured, Amy Wolf of Bowling Green, Ohio, purchased a Ukiah Tailgater 1.0 Audio Firepit from JAM Trading. The complaint identifies the exact model involved — Factory ID No. 2009708, Date Code 062021, SKU 1005548583.

According to the complaint, the lithium-ion battery built into the device suddenly malfunctioned on May 11, 2024,  igniting a fire that spread through Wolf’s property and caused significant structural and personal-property damage.

The lawsuit outlines a range of alleged defects involving both the firepit and its battery. American Select accuses Ukiah of improperly designing, manufacturing, assembling, and testing the Tailgater unit, claiming it was “dangerously defective” when sold and posed an unreasonable risk of fire to consumers. 

The filing further alleges the product was unfit for its intended use, lacked adequate warnings, and should not have been introduced into the marketplace without proper inspection or safety safeguards. Similar allegations are raised against JAM Trading, which the insurer says marketed and distributed the faulty unit without ensuring it was safe.

American Select reimbursed Wolf for the property damage under her homeowners policy, and is now seeking to recover those costs from the companies it says caused the fire. This type of action, known as a subrogation lawsuit, allows an insurer to pursue manufacturers when a product allegedly fails during normal use and the policyholder is not at fault. 

In the complaint, American Select accuses Ukiah and JAM Trading of negligence, breach of warranties, and strict product liability, and seeks more than $75,000 in damages.

Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuits

In addition to the lawsuit over Ukiah’s Tailgater audio firepit, a growing number of portable tabletop fire pit lawsuits allege that several manufacturers sold alcohol-fueled units without adequate warnings or instructions, leading to multiple severe burn injuries linked to flame-jetting incidents. 

Unlike traditional fire pits, these tabletop models use liquid fuel that can stay volatile even when the flame appears to be out, and attempts to refill a still-hot unit can trigger sudden fireballs or flashback ignition that cause second- and third-degree burns, permanent disfigurement, and in some cases death.

Federal safety officials with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have now issued numerous warnings and product recalls after identifying design defects with many of these products, such as a lack of flame arrestors or clear safety instructions, which could pose a serious risk to users and others in the vicinity, including children.

As a result, many tabletop fire pit lawyers are pursuing claims for those who have been injured, alleging that the manufacturers and distributors, including Colsen, FLÎKRfire, Gusar LLC and Amazon, failed to provide proper warnings, ignored voluntary safety standards, and sold unreasonably dangerous products to the public.

Sign up for more legal news that could affect you or your family.