US Court: Amazon Liable for Colsen Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion

• A San Diego man is suing Amazon over product liability and negligence after a tabletop alcohol fire pit he purchased from the company exploded on him.
• The explosion caused severe third-degree burns across Trevino's body, which will require a lifetime of scarring, disfigurement, and pain.
• Amazon had previously sent an email to Trevino about the recall, but he claims he never saw it due to spam emails.
• Trevino is seeking damages for his injuries and changes to Amazon's policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The explosion caused third-degree burns across his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands, and fingers in less than one second.

Anthony Trevino, a former Navy rescue swimmer, was severely injured when a Colsen brand tabletop alcohol fire pit he purchased from Amazon exploded in his apartment balcony in September 2025. The explosion caused third-degree burns across his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands, and fingers in less than one second. Trevino claims that the product's design flaw allowed the flame to travel up the stream of liquid fuel, igniting the container it was being poured from, a phenomenon known as 'flame-jetting.' This type of accident is particularly hazardous because alcohol flames can burn invisibly, giving the impression that the fire needs more fuel. The explosion also damaged Trevino's apartment balcony, melting one of the lights and the turf grass.

In October 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall of nearly 90,000 Colsen alcohol-burning fire pits due to safety concerns. The recall was prompted by reports of accidents and injuries caused by these products. However, Trevino claims that Amazon did not do enough to notify him about the recall, despite sending an email in 2024 stating that the product may not meet safety standards. Trevino says he never saw the email, which got lost among the numerous spam emails he receives daily from Amazon. The recall was also preceded by regulatory actions in Australia and Canada, where these types of products were banned due to their risk to health and safety.

Trevino is suing Amazon for product liability and negligence, alleging that the company failed to ensure the safety of its customers. He claims that Amazon knew or should have known about the dangers of these products well before he purchased them. Trevino's attorneys argue that Amazon's actions were reckless and put an unsuspecting consumer like Trevino at risk. The lawsuit seeks damages for Trevino's injuries, as well as changes to Amazon's policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This case highlights the importance of retailers taking adequate measures to notify consumers about product recalls and ensuring that products meet safety standards. Lawyers should advise clients to review their own product liability policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News