After Burn Injuries, Deaths, Lawsuits and a Recall, Some Push for Gel Fuel Ban
Image from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
A seemingly ordinary product sold by home-supply retailers to keep patio lights burning can act like napalm, splashing into the air and onto people when spilled, fueling flash fires that are difficult to douse and causing injuries and deaths.
Serious burn injuries and even deaths have been reported throughout the country from gel fuel, and at least one manufacturer has declared bankruptcy after a deluge of personal injury lawsuits, according to the Palm Beach Post and the Post and Courier.
Now, following a recall of at least one manufacturer’s product, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says gel fuel should be banned nationally, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Attorney Greg Barnhart is representing the family of a South Florida woman who suffered terrible burns after lighting a fire pot that contained the fuel. He describes gel fuel as “like napalm.” However, he wasn’t able to pursue a viable lawsuit against the alleged supplier, Napa Home & Garden, because it is in bankruptcy, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Hence, he has named as defendants in a Palm Beach County Circuit Court lawsuit the alleged product manufacturer, Fuel Barons; the alleged packager Losorea Packaging Co.; and the owners of the Florida stores where, according to the suit, Jacqueline Delgado bought two fire pots and gel fuel.
At the request of her 21-year-old daughter, Barnhart also plans to try to persuade Florida lawmakers to ban the product throughout the state.
Attorney Kevin Dean of Motley Rice represents two other families that have sued Napa, the Post and Courier says. According to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the company expects to face 70 claims related to gel fuel.
Related material:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: “Napa Home & Garden Recalls NAPAfire and FIREGEL Pourable Gel Fuel Due to Fire and Burn Hazards”
