Federal safety authorities are advising individuals to refrain from using liquid-burning fire pits after two fatalities and 60 injuries reported over the past five years.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fire pits that require the pouring of isopropyl rubbing alcohol or other liquid fuels into an open container and igniting it in the same area are termed “very hazardous.”

In a notice released on Thursday, the commission urged users to immediately cease using and properly dispose of these items, stating they should be pulled from the market. The warning does not single out a particular brand but applies to all fire pits fitting this description.

These fire pits pose two significant risks, including the threat of third-degree burns that can occur in less than a second due to flames reaching temperatures exceeding 1,600°F. Furthermore, the commission warned that flames can flare out of the container while refueling a fire pit that is actively burning.

“Lighting a pool of alcohol or similar liquid fuel in an open fire pit can create an uncontrolled flame, which can suddenly generate larger, hotter flames that extend beyond the fire pit,” the CPSC stated. “A small flame inside the fire pit may be difficult to notice and can ignite the liquid fuel being poured, resulting in an explosion that spreads flames and burning liquid onto the user or nearby people.”

Fire pit explosion killed elderly couple in June

The recalled fire pits have been linked to two deaths and over 60 injuries since 2019, according to the CPSC, which has not disclosed specific details about these incidents.

In June, a fire pit explosion tragically resulted in the deaths of an elderly couple during a Father’s Day family gathering in Dover, New Hampshire.

Herm and Thelma Stolzenburg, both 93 years old, lost their lives when a tabletop fire pit unexpectedly exploded and engulfed them in flames, as reported by local news stations WBZ-TV and WMUR-TV. They passed away a week later due to severe third-degree burn injuries.

“It just happened in a flash, and the flames erupted,” Dee McEneaney, their daughter, recounted to WMUR-TV. “There was no moment to react other than to scream and try to assist. I was batting the flames off my mother and then had to focus on my father.”

The couple had three children, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, as reported by WMUR-TV.

Nearly 90,000 Colsen fire pits recalled in October

On October 17, the CPSC announced the recall of 89,500 Colsen fire pits ranging from 5 to 18 inches in width, which were sold at various retailers, including Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart, between January 2020 and July 2024.

The recall was prompted by 31 reports of “flame jetting and flames escaping” from the fire pits, which resulted in 19 burn injuries.

Two of these injuries involved third-degree burns affecting over 40% of the victims’ bodies, the CPSC reported, alongside at least six incidents requiring surgery, extended medical care, hospitalization in burn treatment centers, temporary disability, loss of function, physical therapy, or lasting disfigurement.