A California veteran is suing Amazon, alleging that a tabletop fire pit purchased from the online retailer exploded and caused him severe burns. Anthony Trevino, a 31-year-old former U.S. Navy helicopter search-and-rescue swimmer, filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming the Colsen "Tabletop Rubbing Alcohol Outdoor Fire Pit" was defective and erupted without warning in a "flame jetting" explosion.
Trevino sustained third-degree burns to his face, neck, and upper body in the September 2025 incident. According to the lawsuit, he was refilling the fire pit on his apartment balcony, believing the flame had extinguished. Because alcohol flames can be invisible when burning low, the fuel ignited, causing the explosion. The lawsuit states that the blast was powerful enough to melt decorative lighting and artificial turf on his balcony.
The complaint details that Trevino purchased the fire pit and bottles of isopropyl alcohol from Amazon in February 2021. The product listing allegedly advertised the fire pit as "Easy & Safe to Use." Trevino stated that he never expected a product marketed as safe to cause such harm in his home.
Trevino's attorneys argue that Amazon should have been aware of the product's dangers. The lawsuit notes that similar tabletop fire pits have been banned in countries like Australia and Canada. In 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled approximately 89,500 Colsen-branded fire pits.
The lawsuit further alleges that Amazon sent recall notices that only vaguely warned the product "may not meet current safety standards," rather than explicitly flagging the risk of severe burns. According to the suit, Amazon continues to sell the fire pits.
Trevino's legal team contends that Amazon cannot use the defense of being merely a distributor, as a California ruling potentially holds platforms liable for products sold. "Amazon decides what goes on its shelves, takes a cut of every sale and they even told Anthony which fuel to buy," said attorney Jeremy Robinson. "When you stock the shelf and ring the register, you own what happens to the innocent people whose lives are permanently altered."
As a result of the incident, Trevino spent weeks in the hospital and suffered permanent scarring and nerve damage that affects his daily life. He expressed a desire to hold Amazon accountable to prevent other individuals from experiencing similar harm.