Multiple manufacturers and retailers including Colsen Fire Pits LLC, Amazon.com, Wayfair, Five Below, and FLÎKRfire are facing a growing wave of lawsuits related to tabletop fire pits that have caused severe burn injuries and deaths (at least 60 injuries and two deaths since 2019).
The product liability lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A will address these fire pit lawsuits and claims in detail.
Covington v. Vatra Inc. and Amazon – California (May 2026)
Filed in California Superior Court on May 4, 2026, this case seems major: the lawsuit alleges that a minor child suffered second- and third-degree burns when a Vatra ethanol tabletop fire pit purchased through Amazon exploded as a family member added isopropyl alcohol. The case names both Vatra Inc. and multiple Amazon entities as defendants.
Pearson v. Amazon.com Services and Sun Dong – Texas (March 2026)
This case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on March 16, 2026. The plaintiff alleges flame jetting from an Amazon-sold tabletop fire pit caused permanent scarring, asserting claims for strict products liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act against both Amazon and the foreign manufacturer.
Kendall v. Brookstone, Macy’s, and Southern Telecom – Michigan (January 2026)
Filed January 15, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, this lawsuit targets a Brookstone-branded tabletop fire pit. Defendants include Bkst Brand Holdings, Southern Telecom, and Macy’s, expanding the litigation beyond the now-familiar Colsen/Gusar manufacturers to legacy retail brands.
New Florida Filing Against Amazon and Suzhou Tengli – January 2026
A new lawsuit filed January 5, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Case No. 2:26-cv-00015) targets Amazon and Suzhou Tengli, the manufacturer behind the Poofzy/PFOOZY brand. The plaintiff alleges catastrophic facial burns when her husband added ethanol fuel to a tabletop pit that appeared to be extinguished. This is the second active federal case naming Suzhou Tengli, following the South Carolina case set for trial in February 2027.
Hominski Bellwether Trial – Florida (March 2026)
The Hominski v. Gusar, LLC, Colsen Fire Pits, LLC, and Wayfair LLC case (S.D. Fla. No. 1:24-cv-21590) was set for a three-week trial beginning March 30, 2026 before the Southern District of Florida. Plaintiffs’ counsel publicly framed the case as a bellwether for the broader tabletop fire pit litigation, with mediation due by December 15, 2025.
Poofzy Fire Pit Lawsuit – South Carolina (August 2025)
A 17-year-old girl filed suit against Amazon.com after suffering severe burns from a Poofzy-brand portable fire pit her parents purchased through the platform. The incident occurred when a relative attempted to re-light the fire pit by pouring liquid rubbing alcohol, causing invisible flames to ignite fuel vapors and create a dangerous “flame jetting” explosion.
The teenager sustained burns to her upper body, arms, right leg, and abdomen. The lawsuit alleges Amazon and the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about flame jetting hazards despite the known risks. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (Case Number 7:25-cv-11131-DCC).
Thauberger v. Gusar, LLC and Amazon.com – Colorado (2025)
This case involves both Carolyn Thauberger and her daughter Anna, who purchased a Colsen fire pit from Amazon in December 2021. In September 2024, when Carolyn was visiting her daughter in Colorado, she attempted to refuel the fire pit with isopropyl alcohol when she heard a “whoosh” sound as the device unexpectedly reignited.
Carolyn suffered third-degree burns to her hands and legs, second-degree burns to her face, and permanent scarring requiring multiple surgeries. The lawsuit claims the defendants recommended using isopropyl alcohol without flame arrestors, increasing the risk of flame jetting injuries that regulators have known about since 2019.
Little v. Amazon.com, Inc.; Colsen, LLC; Gusar, LLC – Texas (Filed 2025)
Sandra Little brought this lawsuit after her minor child (identified as A.L.) suffered catastrophic injuries in March 2023. The family had purchased the Colsen fire pit through Amazon in December 2021, and when they added fuel during regular use, flames allegedly shot out of the device, igniting the child’s clothing and body parts.
The child suffered severe burns to chest, hands, legs, and scalp, including hair loss. The case is scheduled for trial in July or August 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, with Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo presiding.
Barnhart v. Colsen Fire Pits, LLC – North Carolina Class Action (October 2024)
Shaneka Barnhart filed a consumer class action complaint in North Carolina federal court, alleging that Colsen sold dangerously defective tabletop fire pits that cause fires, burns, and permanent disfigurement without adequate warnings or safety features.
The lawsuit accuses Colsen of deceptive marketing by portraying their products as “safe,” “smokeless,” and “odorless” while concealing flame jetting and flash fire dangers. Barnhart purchased her unit shortly before the October 2024 recall.
Hominski et al. v. Gusar, LLC; Colsen Fire Pits, LLC; Wayfair LLC – Florida
Kayla and Nicholas Hominski filed this lawsuit after Kayla was engulfed in flames while refueling their tabletop fire pit. The plaintiffs experienced a sudden flame “whoosh” that resulted in severe burns. The case alleges defective design, failure to warn about flame jetting defects, and negligent distribution by the defendants.
Hurst & Jones v. Colsen Fire Pits, LLC; Gusar, LLC; Amazon.com, Inc. – Florida
Erin Hurst and Trevor Jones sustained severe injuries when isopropyl alcohol was added to their fire pit while still burning, triggering flame jetting. Trevor suffered second- and third-degree burns across 40% of his body. The couple was forced to cancel their honeymoon due to the severity of their injuries and face lengthy rehabilitation.
FLÎKRfire Related Death Cases (2024)
In June 2024, an elderly couple died from serious burns when a third person attempted to refill a FLIKRFIRE tabletop fireplace that appeared to be extinguished, causing flame jetting. At least three other incidents involving FLÎKRfire units have resulted in third or fourth-degree burns to extensive areas of consumers’ bodies.
Five Below Fire Pit Cases (Emerging September 2025)
Following the recall of 66,000 Five Below tabletop fire pits in September 2025, new lawsuits are expected to emerge. The recall cited alcohol fuel splashing or leaking from the reservoir during use, causing flash fires with larger, hotter flames that can escape the unit. While no injuries had been reported at the time of recall, Five Below received at least one report of flames escaping.
Regulatory Response and Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken aggressive action:
- October 2024: Colsen recall of 89,500 units after 31 flame jetting reports and 19 injuries
- December 2024: FLÎKRfire safety warning after multiple deaths
- September 2025: Five Below recall of 66,000 units
- General consumer alert against all liquid-burning fire pits violating safety standards
Damages and Compensation Sought
Victims are pursuing compensation for:Medical expenses including emergency treatment, surgeries, and skin grafts
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress
- In some cases, punitive damages for willful disregard of safety
Talk to a Product Liability and Burn Injury Lawyer Today
At The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., our product liability lawyers are currently accepting firepit burn and explosion injury cases and want help burn survivors and families hold negligent companies accountable if they’ve been seriously injured by fire pits.
Contact our tabletop fire pit accident lawyers to schedule a free over-the-phone consultation. Our firm has been offering nationwide representation for 35 years. Call now & let’s make things right.
See the some of the successful case results and settlements the personal injury lawyers at The Louthian Law Firm have won.
References:
https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/wp-content/uploads/Little-v-Amazon-and-Colsen.pdf
