Jorgina Andrawos Injured in Fire Pit Accident at Plumwood Circle in Hagerstown, Maryland

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – A woman suffered burn injuries Tuesday night following a fire inside a Hagerstown home. Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at a residence on Plumwood Circle.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, Jorgina Andrawos sustained burns to her face and left side. Investigators determined the fire started on a coffee table in the living room where a fire pit had been placed.

Individuals affected by dangerous tabletop fire pits deserve answers and justice

They come in cute or sleek designs, adding a charming touch to the décor of our homes. But these devices can turn dangerous in an instant, burning everything in their path.

Tabletop fire pits are extremely dangerous. These products, often sold as fire pots, portable fireplaces, or miniature indoor fire pits, pose severe burn and fire risks, including flame jetting and uncontrolled flare-ups, especially when fuel is ignited or refilled.

The main hazard lies in a common design flaw: users are instructed to pour flammable liquid, such as isopropyl alcohol, directly into an open reservoir and ignite it in the same space. Flame jetting can occur if a small, nearly invisible flame remains during refueling, igniting vapors and causing a sudden, violent burst of fire. These devices can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,600°F, leaving little time to react when something goes wrong.

Yet, despite numerous injuries and deaths reported, these devices remain on the market with inadequate safety features and unclear warnings. Some manufacturers still promote and sell them—sometimes even for indoor use—without any warning or explanation of how quickly a pleasant gathering can turn dangerous with these unsafe devices.

Consumers have the right to know the dangers associated with these products. Those who have been seriously burned deserve answers and justice for their life-altering injuries.

I hope the injured here is on the road to healing.

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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.