An Avon, Massachusetts resident has been left with third-degree burns following the explosion of a tabletop fire pit on Thursday. In a statement obtained by WCVB, Avon Fire officials highlighted the dangers of using isopropyl alcohol-fueled devices indoors, citing several injuries and fatalities linked to these items.
As reported by CBS Boston News, the explosion occurred when the victim was attempting to ignite the liquid fuel within the fire pit, resulting in burns across the arm, hand, and abdomen. Assistant Fire Chief Brad Cronin pointed out that these tabletop fire pits can burn at temperatures around 1,600 degrees and described them as inherently dangerous, especially when the fluid is poured into a device that may still be hot or already ignited.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall of similar products in October 2024, including a device by Colsen, due to the risk of serious burn injuries. The CPSC's warning stated that fire pits requiring consumers to pour isopropyl alcohol or another liquid fuel into an open container and ignite it in the same location violate safety standard ASTM F3363-19. This standard is intended to prevent pool fires and flame jetting – dangerous phenomena where flames can spread rapidly across spilled flammable liquids or erupt from contained fuels.
Cronin expressed concern for the injured resident and advised against using these types of fire pits. In particular, he urged potential buyers to choose models that are clearly labeled as meeting safety standards and to refrain from using them indoors. The incident has revived concerns about these devices following deaths associated with a similar explosion that claimed the lives of a New Hampshire couple last summer. Both sources remind consumers to heed safety warnings when considering these increasingly popular items for personal use.
