A tabletop fire pit looks harmless—sleek concrete or stone, a small metal cup of alcohol or gel, a pretty flame you can set in the middle of a dinner table. But that “mini fireplace” behaves very differently than a backyard wood pit or a built-in gas feature. Burn victims are closer on tabletop fire pit models. Fuel is liquid. Flames can be nearly invisible. And refueling often happens at face and chest height—exactly where a sudden flash or “fire jet” causes the worst burns.
This page focuses only on alcohol- or gel-fueled tabletop fire pits. If your incident involved one of these small units (often marketed for patios, balconies, apartments, coffee/dining tables, or even indoor “s’mores makers”), you’re in the right place.
David P. Willis is a product-defect trial lawyer, Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (since 1988), and a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, with an active practice spanning 40+ years. He is licensed in Texas and New York and has recovered $100,000,000’s for clients.
Our product-liability team focuses on alcohol/gel tabletop fire pit cases—and catastrophic injury cases nationwide. We know the mechanisms of a defective product (flame jetting, flashback, pool fires), the design choices that make these units dangerous (open reservoirs, lack of flame arrestors/indicators, weak warnings), and the evidence that moves value (the device and fuel bottle, packaging, serial/UPC data, scene photos, and medical proof of scarring and function loss).
We work with fire-protection engineers, human-factors experts, and burn specialists to document what happened and how it should have been prevented under well-known safety principles. We coordinate nationwide with trusted local counsel where needed in some state courts. There are no upfront costs—we work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Most importantly, we move fast to preserve the device and fuel under chain-of-custody so the other side can’t argue spoliation or shift blame.
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Short version: small device, liquid/gel fuel, people inches away, and refueling at face height. That combo makes tabletop units far riskier than backyard pits.
Because these devices live at table height, injuries often strike visible areas (face and hands) that affect daily life, work, and self-image. See our medical guide: Burn Injuries & Scarring. Tabletop fire pit injuries are often far more severe — and sometimes fatal — because victims are positioned extremely close to the flame. Children, guests, and anyone nearby can suffer devastating burns within seconds. The danger is even greater when someone attempts to pour additional fuel into a still-hot or partially lit burner. In many cases, the vapors ignite instantly, creating a sudden flashback or “flame jetting” explosion that engulfs the person holding the fuel container.
All fire pit defect claims for damages typically include past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages/earning capacity; and, where gross negligence or reckless disregard is proven, punitive damages may also be available (state-law dependent).
Manufacturers have repeatedly ignored simple engineering safeguards that could prevent these explosions. Common product failures include:
Many injuries are preventable with safer alternative designs (enclosed reservoirs, flame arrestors, visible flame indicators, temperature interlocks) and clear warnings. For official safety actions and standards context, see: CPSC Recalls & Warnings and ASTM F3363-19 Explained.
A common defense in big fire pit cases is “open and obvious risk.” Tabletop claims differ:
Those differences matter for liability, warnings, feasible alternative designs, and jury perception.
Do not throw anything away. Store it safely and keep it dry.
Save:
We map the entire chain of distribution and identify every party who may share responsibility. For sales and warning history, see of Fire Pit Brands & Fuel Types (Photo Gallery) and Retailer & Marketplace Liability.
If your injury involved an alcohol tabletop fire pit—on a dining table, coffee table, balcony, or countertop—we’ll help you lock down evidence and map the path to compensation.
Here’s what happens when you contact us:
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FirePitLawsuits.com – National investigations of alcohol-fueled fire pit explosions and burn injuries. * Willis is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (since 1988), certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.Representing injured clients nationwide through association with local attorneys in compliance with each state’s bar rules. Licensed in Texas and New York. Willis Law Firm, 5005 Riverway Drive, Suite 160, Houston, Tx. – Principal Place of Business – All meetings by appointment only.
Acknowledgment & Thank You – Certain Safety Images and Public-Education Materials, Alerts, and Warnings referenced on this site are courtesy of Health Canada and the CPSC.
