CPSC Issues Warning on Defective Alcohol-Burning Tabletop Fire Pits After Reports of Deaths and Dozens of Injuries

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to immediately stop using tabletop fire pits and similar products that burn alcohol or other liquid fuels in open containers. These products, which are often marketed as fire pots, portable fireplaces, or miniature indoor fire pits, pose serious fire and burn risks—including flame jetting and uncontrolled fires—when fuel is ignited or refilled.

The alert follows a string of incidents involving these devices, which have been linked to two deaths and at least 60 burn injuries since 2019.

At the heart of the hazard is a common design flaw: users are instructed to pour isopropyl alcohol or similar fuels directly into an open reservoir and then ignite them in the same space. This method violates ASTM F3363-19, a voluntary safety standard intended to prevent flame jetting and pool fires, where flames race across the surface of spilled or pooled liquid fuel.

Flame jetting can occur when even a small, nearly invisible flame remains in the container during refueling. This can ignite vapors and cause a violent flashback, sending burning liquid onto nearby users or bystanders. In many cases, injuries have included third-degree burns and required extensive medical treatment.

These products, fueled by high-temperature burning liquids such as isopropyl alcohol and bioethanol, can reach temperatures exceeding 1,600°F. Flames can grow rapidly and spread beyond the intended container, leaving users little or no time to react.

The fire pits in question are sold under various brand names by both physical and online retailers.

Contact The Ammons Law Firm for Legal Help with Defective Fire Products

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a defective fire pit or similar product, The Ammons Law Firm is here to help.

Contact The Ammons Law Firm today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by defective products.