Ceramic Firepots are decorative bowls that are filled with fuel gel, intended to provide a lasting source of light and bug-repellant outside. Unfortunately, at least 64 people have been severely burned when these Firepots explode, or when fuel gel spills onto them. The fuel gel may stick to skin and clothing and be nearly impossible to extinguish, causing severe injury. Two people have died from injuries caused by Fuel Gel Firepots, and the manufacturers have since issued a recall of the products.
What You Can Do & How a Firepot or Fuel Gel Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Firepot and Fuel Gel induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a Firepot or Fuel Gel, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Firepot Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is the problem with Ceramic Firepots and Fuel Gel?
A number of injuries have occurred during the refueling process. When the firepot burns low, the flame may become invisible. Though it appears to be out, it is actually still burning. When a person pours fuel gel on the open flame, it ignites suddenly. It is extremely dangerous to pour fuel onto an open flame. The fuel gel may contain 90% ethyl alcohol, an extremely flammable compound. This can cause a flash fire. The explosion can also splatter gel on people and objects nearby. Because the fuel gel is sticky, it can cause far more severe burns than other fuels.
Stop, Drop, and Roll is not effective for putting out this fire. Instead, a person will need to use baking soda or a dry fire extinguisher to put out the flame and stop the burn.
Injuries Caused by Fuel Gel Firepots
The Consumer Products Safety Commission is aware of 65 incidents in which the Firepots exploded or a person was injured by fuel gel. Two people have died as a result of severe burns. There have been 34 incidents where people suffered second- and third-degree burns on the face, chest, hands, arms, or legs.
Of the 65 incidents, the two fatalities and 37 burn injuries were caused by products created by Napa Home & Garden, which voluntarily recalled its products in June 2011. Since 2009, Napa has sold more than 450,000 of these products. Products sold by the company Bird Brain Inc. have also caused a large number of injury reports.
Firepot Recall and Gel Fuel Recall Lawsuits
In September of 2011, the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced that nine manufacturers of Fuel Gel Firepots had issued a voluntary recall of their products. The nine manufacturers are:
- Bird Brain Inc., of Ypsilanti, Mich.
- Bond Manufacturing of Antioch, Calif.
- Sunjel Company (2 Burn Inc.) of Milwaukee
- Fuel Barons Inc. of Lake Tahoe, Nev.
- Lamplight Farms Inc. of Menomonee Falls, Wis.
- Luminosities Inc. (Windflame) of St. Paul, Minn.
- Pacific Décor Ltd. of Woodinville, Wash.
- Real Flame of Racine, Wis.
- Smart Solar Inc. of Oldsmar, Fla.
The recall includes an estimated 2 million products. The products all consisted of pourable fuel gel. They were sold in one-quart containers or one-gallon containers. There are scented and unscented varieties. They have been sold since 2008.
Do I have a Firepot Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Firepot induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Firepot, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Firepot Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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