{"id":29988,"date":"2026-08-06T15:54:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29988"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:54:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:54:50","slug":"tabletop-fire-pit-unleashed-fireball-injurying-navy-vet-suit-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29988","title":{"rendered":"Tabletop fire pit unleashed fireball, injurying Navy vet, suit says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p>The small, decorative tabletop fire pit that Anthony Trevino bought on Amazon five years ago looked harmless.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the product is at the center of a lawsuit against its manufacturers and the e-commerce giant  after it allegedly erupted into a fireball while he was refilling it last year, leaving the 31-year-old former U.S. Navy search-and-rescue swimmer with third-degree burns to his face, neck and body.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-left=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8169a2d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/320x367!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/50db3b3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/568x651!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a87a20d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/768x880!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2dd25a8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/1024x1173!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/edbc002\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/1200x1375!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A man in a hospital bed with burn areas on his chest and neck and bandages on his arms and ear.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/18eac8b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/320x367!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/062c3b2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/568x651!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/99101df\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/768x880!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cb6da22\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/1024x1173!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/55c12e8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/1200x1375!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1375\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/55c12e8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/295x338+0+0\/resize\/1200x1375!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F9d%2F583202bc4a71957029925a284e29%2Fburn-victim.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Anthony Trevino was hospitalized with burn injuries, his lawsuit states.<\/p>\n<p>(SHK Law Corp.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in San Diego County Superior Court, accuses Amazon of selling defective tabletop alcohol-burning fire pits despite a ban on the products in two countries and their link to two deaths and about 60 injuries since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnthony\u2019s life has been forever changed because a dangerous product stayed on the market despite years of warning signs \u2014 and he is not the only one,\u201d Maureen Hennessey, Trevino\u2019s attorney, said in a written statement.<\/p>\n<p>According to the complaint, Trevino purchased a Colsen tabletop fire pit from Amazon in February 2021 and two bottles of medical-grade isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to use as fuel.<\/p>\n<p>The fire pit was marketed as \u201ceasy and safe to use,\u201d according to the lawsuit. <\/p>\n<p>But on Sept. 17, Trevino was using the fire pit on his apartment balcony when it exploded as he was refilling it, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe explosion caused gruesome third-degree burn injuries to his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands and fingers,\u201d the complaint read. \u201cHe was hospitalized for many weeks and continues to have permanent and debilitating burn injuries that affect every aspect of his daily life.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>His attorneys said the blast melted decorative lighting on his balcony, charred the railing and melted sections of artificial turf.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI never imagined a product sold to me as \u2018safe and easy\u2019 would do this to me in my own home,\u201d Trevino said in the written statement. \u201cMy whole life, my job was to pull people out of danger. I can\u2019t undo what happened to me, but I can hold Amazon accountable to ensure they stop selling products that are so dangerous they can alter the course of someone\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The dangers of tabletop alcohol-burning fire pits have been well documented over the years. <\/p>\n<p>Australia in effect banned the products in 2017 through mandatory safety standards after they were linked to about 100 injuries and at least 36 house fires since 2010. Canada later approved a ban on the devices.<\/p>\n<p>According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, multiple fire pit products sold on Amazon have been linked to flash fires and other explosive incidents in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>In December 2021, a 15-year-old girl suffered second- and third-degree burns over 22% of her body when the flames jetted across the kitchen island from a tabletop fire pit smores maker. The following month, a 5-year-old was injured from a tabletop fire pit when it produced a \u201cvery large, unexpected fireball.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>In <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/Recalls\/2025\/Colsen-Recalls-Fire-Pits-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Burn-Injury-from-Flame-Jetting-and-Fire-Spreading-Hazards\" target=\"_blank\">October 2024<\/a>, the safety commission recalled roughly 89,500 Colsen-branded tabletop fire pits, warning that they did not meet safety standards. The alcohol-burning products were associated with 31 reports of flame jettings and flames escaping from the concrete container, resulting in 19 burn injuries.  Two incidents led to third-degree burns to more than 40% of victims\u2019 bodies.<\/p>\n<p>Then in December that year, the agency issued a <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/Warnings\/2025\/Consumer-Alert-Stop-Using-Alcohol-or-Other-Liquid-Burning-Fire-Pits-That-Violate-Voluntary-Standards-and-Present-Flame-Jetting-and-Fire-Hazards-Two-Deaths-and-Dozens-of-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported\" target=\"_blank\">general recall for all tabletop fire pit products,<\/a>  citing two deaths and at least 60 injuries since 2019 and urging consumers to stop using them and sellers to stop selling them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a result of this, Amazon sent an email to all purchasers of the Colsen Fire Pit, including the one purchased by plaintiff,\u201d the complaint read. \u201cNotably, this email did not offer to refund the purchase price or advise buyers such as plaintiff that the product was defective and using it could result in catastrophic burn injuries.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Colsen Fire Pits could not immediately be reached for comment. <\/p>\n<p>Trevino, however, did not see the email, his attorneys say. They also say Amazon continued to sell similar products on its website. <\/p>\n<p>Last month, two girls in San Diego County were <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-06-29\/oceanside-children-burned-while-roasting-marshmallows-on-recalled-tabletop-fireplace\">airlifted to a burn center <\/a>after flames went in their direction while they were roasting marshmallows on a device called Flikr Fire. The device was also recalled, in <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/Warnings\/2025\/CPSC-Urges-Consumers-to-Stop-Using-FLIKRFIRE-Tabletop-Fireplaces-Due-to-Flame-Jetting-and-Fire-Hazards-Two-Deaths-and-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported\" target=\"_blank\">December 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAmazon must be held accountable,\u201d Hennessey said. \u201cNot only to secure justice for Anthony, but to force these companies to take their duty to prevent life-changing injuries seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The small, decorative tabletop fire pit that Anthony Trevino bought on Amazon five years ago looked harmless. Now, the product is at the center of a lawsuit against its manufacturers and the e-commerce giant after it allegedly erupted into a fireball while he was refilling it last year, leaving the 31-year-old former U.S. Navy search-and-rescue&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29989,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/24a5c3e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/569x299+0+76\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F31%2Fad%2Fd7e8e979455c9e22c2dbe8e444f1%2Fburned-balcony.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29988\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}