A Pattern of Danger Across the Industry
Since 2019, alcohol-burning tabletop fire pits have been linked to at least two deaths and more than 60 documented burn injuries across the United States [1]. The injuries span virtually every age group and involve brands sold across major retail platforms including Amazon, Walmart, and dozens of specialty online stores.
Victims have described incidents that unfolded in seconds — invisible alcohol flames suddenly expanding into uncontrolled pool fires, or violent flame jetting explosions when a product that appeared extinguished was being refueled. These are not freak accidents; they are predictable consequences of a fundamentally dangerous product design.
What Makes These Fire Pits Dangerous
Alcohol-burning tabletop fire pits require users to pour liquid fuel — typically isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or bioethanol — directly into an open container and ignite it in the same location. This design violates ASTM F3363-19, the voluntary safety standard that governs these products, and creates two distinct and deadly hazards.
The first is an uncontrolled pool fire — when the pooled liquid fuel ignites, flames can suddenly expand far beyond the boundaries of the fire pit and onto people sitting nearby. The second is flame jetting, which occurs when a user attempts to refuel a fire pit that still contains residual heat or a small, nearly invisible flame. The act of pouring alcohol near that flame can trigger a sudden explosive fireball that propels burning liquid outward onto the user, bystanders, clothing, and furniture [1].
Lawsuits and Regulatory Action
In October 2024, approximately 89,500 Colsen-branded tabletop fire pits were recalled after 19 burn injuries were reported, including two victims with third-degree burns covering more than 40% of their bodies and six cases requiring surgery and specialized burn unit care. In September 2025, Five Below recalled approximately 66,000 tabletop fire pits after reports of leaking fuel causing flash fires.
In January 2026, a Florida woman filed a lawsuit against Amazon after suffering severe burns when a PFOOZY tabletop fire pit exploded during refueling [2]. In September 2025, a separate lawsuit was filed against Amazon after a 17-year-old suffered severe burns from flame jetting when a relative poured alcohol into a still-warm fire pit. Attorneys are now actively pursuing claims against manufacturers, importers, and online retail platforms on behalf of burn victims nationwide.
About AIKAMI Fire Pits
AIKAMI is a Chinese-manufactured tabletop fire pit brand sold primarily through Amazon.com and identified by attorneys as one of the brands currently under investigation for burn injury claims. Like other brands in this product category, AIKAMI fire pits are marketed as decorative indoor and outdoor tabletop fireplaces that burn isopropyl alcohol or similar liquid fuel in an open container.
The appeal of these products is their sleek, modern aesthetic and the clean-burning, smokeless flame that alcohol fuel produces — qualities that have made them popular for home entertaining, patio use, and s’mores making. However, those same characteristics — a clear, nearly odorless fuel that burns with an almost invisible flame — are precisely what make refueling attempts so dangerous.
The Injuries Victims Suffer
Burn injuries from alcohol-burning fire pits frequently involve the face, hands, arms, chest, and torso — the areas most exposed during normal use or refueling. Second- and third-degree burns can destroy skin and underlying tissue, require skin grafts and wound debridement, and leave victims with permanent scarring, nerve damage, and reduced mobility.
Beyond the physical injuries, victims often face significant financial hardship from emergency room visits, hospitalization, ongoing burn care, and lost income during recovery. In the most serious cases, burn injuries sustained in fire pit incidents have been fatal.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Consumers who were burned while using an AIKAMI tabletop fire pit — whether from a pool fire flare-up, flame jetting incident, or fuel spillage — may have significant legal options against the manufacturer, importer, or seller. A class action lawsuit could allow affected consumers to recover compensation for medical expenses, surgical costs, pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disfigurement, lost wages, and other related losses. Contact an attorney promptly to have your case evaluated.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/2025/Consumer-Alert-Stop-Using-Alcohol-or-Other-Liquid-Burning-Fire-Pits-That-Violate-Voluntary-Standards-and-Present-Flame-Jetting-and-Fire-Hazards-Two-Deaths-and-Dozens-of-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported
2. https://www.schmidtlaw.com/tabletop-fire-pit-lawsuit/