TIKI clear Vu fuel-burning lighting equipment

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Jul 6, 2011 · , published by CPSC Jul 29, 2011

   The product, in the report: Tiki Paradise in your Backyard Islander Tiki Torch Trusted by million handcrafted design brown stained pole with brown color basket and a clear plastic liquid holder with a black screw on top containing a fiberglass wick made to last longer according to labeling. Label say’s The one and only the original since 1957.Bar code id 8686101085. Copyrighted 2007 Lamplight Farms, Inc. Clear Vu trade mark of Lamplight Farms located in Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Made in China “GO Figure”

   We purchased ten Islander Tiki brand torches at a local true value hardware store, during an end of season sale late last year. Two of these torches, caught fire July 5, 2011. The fire melted both the plastic container and the holding basket, which mounts atop a wooden pole. We used Tike brand citronella liquid as recommended by the manufacturer.

   The description of our purchase included a 4 to 5 ft. pole with a woven basket mounted atop it, a plastic holding container and a screw on metal lid that contains a fiberglass wick. The label claim stated “Paradise in Your Backyard” and “Trusted by Millions?”

   My husband and I stepped into our house, for a period of not more than 6-10 minutes, to make a sandwich and grab some refreshment to bring back outside with us. The torches were located along an 80 ft. long versa block retaining wall. Suddenly, through a window, we saw smoke billowing. We ran outside as quickly as possible and saw 2 - 3 ft. high flames.

   The ground around the torches was ablaze; a complete melt down occurred. The plastic bottled was 100% melted as was the woven basket mounted atop the pole. Poof Gone!!!! The ground saturated with flaming liquid from the torches. My husband received a minor burn attempting to smother the flames with a towel. I ran for a garden hose somewhere in the process I received a minor cut on my hand. In this brief period, the fire spread rapidly roughly a span of 4 - 5ft. and began to singe my shrubbery. The citronella liquid acted as a catalyst when absorbed in the ground below.

   Furthermore, it caused damage to our retaining walls 120v electrical supply, which also caught fire. The conduit and inner wiring melted along with the entire GFI box and outlet. The melt down was so severe the receptacle fell out completely. The damage sustained to the electrical conduit is 2 ft. in length above the ground; however, we do not know the extent of the underground damage to the conduit and wiring. Currently the circuit breakers are cutoff to avoid any electrical shock. In additionally, a low voltage lighting system has also damaged in the incident. We have an electrician coming over to provide an estimate for the damages sustained due to the poor design of these Tiki Brand Torches, made in China, for Lamplight Farms, Inc.

   Prior to the fire, my back yard was a paradise of lovely plantings and a pond containing a double waterfall. Now my pond does not work due to loss of electric within the retaining wall. Would you call this Paradise?

   Model

   Islander Tiki torch with clear vu

   UPC

   8686101085

   Serial number

   none

   Bought from

   true Value hardware store

   Where

   Pine Bush, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 60, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   My Spouse

   As this report names them

   Brand TIKI clear Vu, made or sold by Lamplight, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources