(Board-Certified Trial Lawyer – David P. Willis | National Fire Pot & Explosion Injury Investigations)
Every year, families across the United States suffer catastrophic burns and explosions from alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pits and pourable fuels that were sold as “safe” decorative products. At FirePitLawsuits.com, our team investigates and files claims for victims injured by defective ethanol burners, recalled fire pots, and other dangerous portable fire features.
Led by Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer David P. Willis, we handle national product liability cases involving butane, propane and gas explosions, flame-jetting accidents, invisible flames, fuel and vessels explosions and other defective product cases that cause devastating injuries or deaths. If you or someone you love was burned by one of these products, you are not alone — and you may be entitled to significant compensation.
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Most small “smokeless” or “eco-friendly” fire pits use alcohol or ethanol-based fuels. When vapors meet a hidden flame or hot surface, ignition can occur instantly — a violent chain reaction called flame jetting.
Even a small amount of vapor inside a fuel bottle can transform into a blowtorch-like blast if the flame is invisible or the pit hasn’t cooled completely. Many explosions occur when users believe the flame has gone out and attempt to refuel.
Common causes include:
When these hazards combine, a quiet evening can turn catastrophic within seconds.
Below are verified examples of actual fire pit explosions and injuries documented by safety regulators and national news outlets. Each case underscores the recurring design flaws responsible for these devastating burns.
Elderly couple Herman and Thelma Stolzenburg (both 93) died when a FLÎKRfire tabletop fireplace reignited as a third person attempted to refill it. Vapors ignited, creating a jet of fire that engulfed both victims. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) later issued a national warning tied to this incident.
Katelyn Little suffered second- and third-degree burns when a newly purchased tabletop fire pit erupted during setup. She spent four days hospitalized with burns and scars to her hands and chest. The unbranded unit, purchased online, lacked flame guards and safety testing.
Three-year-old Sebastian Reynoso was making s’mores with family when a Rozato-brand tabletop fireplace burst into flames, sending fire through glass panels. He sustained severe burns over 15% of his body, including his face, neck, and arms, and required skin grafts and airway surgery.
A 3-year-old girl was burned on her face, chest, and arms when a sudden gust of wind pushed flames from a tabletop fire pit toward her as her father lit it. Police and fire marshals confirmed alcohol vapor ignition. The child was treated at Connecticut Children’s Hospital for first- and second-degree burns.
Eighteen-year-old Viana Poggi, a social media influencer, was burned across her face and hands after an alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pit ignited isopropyl vapors during refueling. She underwent multiple surgeries and later used her online platform to warn others about invisible-flame hazards.
Kayla Hominski suffered burns over 40% of her body when a rectangular tabletop fire pit exploded during a backyard gathering. The device was purchased through Wayfair and fueled with rubbing alcohol. When she refilled it, the bottle exploded in her hand, engulfing her in flames.
A 17-year-old named Imari sustained facial and upper-body burns when a Poofzy tabletop fire pit reignited while a relative added rubbing alcohol. A federal lawsuit alleges the manufacturer failed to warn of flashback ignition or supply flame-arrestor safety caps.
The CPSC has recorded over 60 serious burn injuries and at least two deaths tied to alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pits since 2019.
Recent actions include:
Nearly every one of these tragedies could have been prevented with basic engineering safeguards — the same flame-arrestor technology required for gas cans and industrial containers.
Key product failures include:
Despite years of warnings, manufacturers and major online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair continued to sell these devices without meaningful safeguards.
Under product liability law, victims may file a fire pit injury lawsuit to recover compensation for:
Attorney David P. Willis, Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, has represented 100’s of catastrophically injured, burn and explosion victims and others nationwide for more than four decades. His investigations have helped expose unsafe products, leading to recalls and changes while securing substantial recoveries for his clients.
For a Free consultation, call 1-800-447-FIRE or use our Free Case Review Form to discuss your potential claim.
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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.
