Two Million Containers of Pourable Gel Fuel Recalled

Two deaths and 34 hospitalizations for severe burns have occurred after flash fires erupted when pourable gel was added to an already burning fragrance lamp or firepot, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumers should immediately stop using the pourable gel fuel, the commission warned.

The recall involves an estimated 2 million units of various pourable gel fuels packaged in one-quart plastic bottles and one-gallon plastic jugs and sold in scented and non-scented formulations, which were sold since 2008 for between $5 and $20 by the companies listed below.

Consumers can contact these firms to obtain instructions for a refund of the product and for returning unused bottles and jugs:

• Bird Brain Inc., of Ypsilanti, Mich.
• Bond Manufacturing of Antioch, Calif.
• Sunjel Company (2 Burn Inc.) of Milwaukee
• Fuel Barons Inc. of Lake Tahoe, Nev.
• Lamplight Farms Inc of Menomonee Falls, Wis.
• Luminosities Inc (Windflame) of St. Paul, Minn.
• Pacific Décor Ltd. of Woodinwille, Wash.
• Real Flame of Racine, Wis.
• Smart Solar Inc. of Oldsmar, Fla.

The pourable gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when it is poured into a firepot that is still burning. 

Thirty-seven burn injuries and two fatalities occurred with fuel gel products made by Napa Home & Garden, which conducted a recall of its products in June 2011, in cooperation with commission.

Consumers should not attempt to use or fix pourable gel fuel bottles with homemade remedies, or replace the fuel with other flammable materials.

Retailers should stop sale of existing inventory and immediately remove all stock of pourable gel fuel from shelves. Some firms are working on a design for caps that may prevent flash fire hazards.