CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Burn Injury or Death from Flame Jetting and Fire Hazards

Using them can result in uncontrolled pool fires where flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled alcohol, as well as flame jetting from fuel containers, resulting in serious or fatal burns.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the tabletop fireplaces immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces immediately because using them can result in uncontrolled pool fires where flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled alcohol, as well as flame jetting from fuel containers, resulting in serious or fatal burns. This CPSC consumer alert follows the agency’s recent warning to stop using alcohol or other liquid-burning fire pits that violate voluntary standards and present flame jetting and fire hazards. The Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces are round, square, or rectangular containers that require consumers to pour liquid fuel into the container and then ignite the pooled liquid in the same location it was poured. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, ethanol/bioethanol, and similar liquid fuels can burn with flame temperatures over 1,600°F and can cause third degree burns in less than one second. Igniting a pool of alcohol or other liquid fuel in the fire pit’s open container can result in an uncontrolled pool fire, which can suddenly produce larger, hotter flames that can spread beyond the fire pit product. Flame jetting, another hazard, can occur when refilling the fire pit if any flame is present. A small flame in the fire pit can be hard to see and can ignite the vapor inside a fuel container as the fuel is poured, causing an explosion that propels flames and burning liquid onto the consumer or bystanders. CPSC’s flame jetting safety video demonstrates the potential force of flame jetting and the long distances flames and burning liquid can travel. Gordon Companies Inc., the retailer of Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces, has not agreed to a recall. The portable tabletop fireplaces have a white, silver, or black base. The item numbers are Northlight IF91990, IF91991, IF91992, IF91993, IF91994, IF91996, and IF91997 and can be found on the product packaging. Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces were sold online at NorthlightSeasonal.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and other websites for about $35 to $90. The Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces were manufactured in China. CPSC urges consumers to stop using the tabletop fireplaces immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products. Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov. Under section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, the CPSC is required to include with this press release any comments from the manufacturer or a summary thereof. The company objects to this press release.

Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces.