A woman who was severely burned by a Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit exploded has filed a lawsuit against Macy’s.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit burn injury cases in all 50 states. If you were burned by a tabletop fire pit explosion or other accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Did a Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit Explode or Burn You?
A woman from Michigan suffered severe 2nd- and 3rd-degree burn injuries when a Brookstone® Tabletop Fire Pit from Macy’s suddenly exploded when her husband tried to relight it by adding more fuel.
The couple has now filed a federal lawsuit against Macy’s, Brookstone, and the product manufacturer.
Tabletop Fire Pits Linked Risk of Catastrophic Burn Injuries
Tabletop fire pits are vessels that are advertised for fun, novelty purposes and decor. Instead, they carry a hidden danger. The flames of an alcohol-fueled fire pit can burn completely invisibly. When the flame appears to “go out,” the fire pit may actually still be on fire.
What is Flame-Jetting?
If a user attempts to relight the fire pit by pouring in more liquid fuel (such as rubbing alcohol or ethanol), the residual heat and vapors may cause an instant, violent explosion known as “flame-jetting.”
When the liquid fuel comes in contact with the residual flame, heat, or vapor from the fire pit, the result can be a sudden explosive jet of flame.
This jet can reach several feet away from the source of the fire. It can shoot fire and burning droplets of liquid alcohol at temperatures exceeding 1,600ºF. These temperatures are easily hot enough to cause widespread burns, including 3rd-degree burns in less than a second.
CPSC: Stop Using Liquid-Fuel Burning Fire Pits
Due to the severe, life-threatening safety risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned people to “stop using alcohol or other liquid-fuel burning fire pits.”
All of these product violate safety standards because they present life-threatening risks like flame-jetting, burn injuries, and fires that spread beyond the container, especially if the fire pit tips over and spills.
Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit Filed Against Macy’s
In January 2026, a lawsuit was filed in Michigan by a woman who was injured by a Brookstone® Tabletop Fire Pit that she purchased from Macy’s. The lawsuit was filed by the injured woman, Michelle K., and her husband (who is seeking damages for loss of consortium).
According to the complaint, they were using the fire pit when it appeared to go out. Michelle’s husband attempted to re-light it by pouring in more liquid alcohol.
Instead, there was a sudden explosion that engulfed her in burning flames. She suffered widespread, excruciatingly painful 2nd- and 3rd-degree burn injuries to her face, neck, and chest, which appear in a graphic photo attached to the lawsuit exhibits.
The lawsuit also shows photos of her body wrapped in bandages as she was taken to the hospital on a stretcher to receive treatment for her significant burn injuries.
Her lawsuit accuses Macy’s of failing to warn consumers about the serious risk of burn injuries associated with tabletop fire pits, despite several warnings from federal safety officials, and recalls involving thousands of tabletop fire pits with similar designs.
Legal Theories Against Macy’s, Brookstone
The lawsuit includes several counts against the defendants, including:
- Strict Products Liability — The fire pit was defectively designed and manufactured, and unreasonably dangerous to consumers
- Failure to Warn — The manufacturer and retailers failed to warn consumers about the risk of explosions. This risk was not obvious to consumers who were purchasing the fire pit.
- Negligence — The retailer and manufacturers failed to issue a recall to remedy the problem or warn consumers. This involved a breach of duty of care through insufficient warnings, defective design, and inadequate testing.
- Breach of Warranty — The defendants implied that the product was safe for ordinary use, but instead it exploded during use.
The lawsuit was filed on January 15, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan — Case Number 1:26-cv-00158.
Do I Have a Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Brookstone Tabletop Fire Pit burn injury cases in all 50 states. If you were burned by a tabletop fire pit explosion or other accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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