A former Navy search-and-rescue swimmer is suing Amazon and the manufacturer of a tabletop fire pit, alleging the device caused him horrific burns when it exploded in September 2025. The lawsuit claims Anthony Trevino, 31, suffered third-degree burns to his face, ears, neck, torso, arms, hands, and fingers after the fire pit, fueled by rubbing alcohol, allegedly experienced "flame jetting."
Flame jetting, according to the suit, occurs when flames shoot out of the device along a stream of fuel. The explosion was reportedly so severe it melted a nearby light and scorched balcony fencing. Trevino was hospitalized for several weeks, and his attorneys state that some injuries and scars will be permanent.
Trevino purchased the Colsen Fire Pits product on Amazon in 2021 and also bought isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, as recommended by the platform's algorithm to fuel the device. He had intended to use the fire pit for ambiance on his apartment's outdoor patio.
The lawsuit, filed August 5 in San Diego Superior Court, accuses Amazon and Colsen Fire Pits and Gusar, LLC of selling a product they knew was defective and hazardous. Trevino's lawyers contend that the defendants were aware that ethanol burners, in general, were considered dangerous, noting that such devices were already outlawed in Australia and Canada. "I never imagined a product sold to me as 'safe and easy' would do this to me in my own home," Trevino said in a statement.
Amazon stated to The San Diego Union-Tribune that it removed Colsen products from its website and notified customers following a 2024 recall. The lawsuit acknowledges that Amazon sent an email to purchasers stating the product "may not meet current mandatory or voluntary safety standards." However, the suit alleges that this notification did not offer refunds or warn buyers about the potential for catastrophic burn injuries.
Trevino's legal team cited a 2020 California appeals court decision that established a precedent for holding Amazon liable for third-party product defects, following a case where a woman was injured by a replacement laptop battery purchased through the platform. Amazon had argued it was merely an online marketplace and not responsible for such defects, but the court disagreed.
According to court documents, numerous similar lawsuits have been filed in the United States against Colsen Fire Pits and Amazon. Colsen Fire Pits filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and appears to be no longer operational.