Walmart-linked fireplace recall triggers urgent burn-risk warnings nationwide

Walmart associates who handle returns, customer questions and seasonal inventory had another safety alert to watch as Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces were flagged for a serious burn risk that could cause serious injury or death. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warning, issued May 7, identified models IF91990, IF91991, IF91992, IF91993, IF91994, IF91996 and IF91997 and said consumers should stop using the fireplaces immediately.

The hazard is specific and severe. The commission said the fireplaces use poured liquid fuel, including ethanol or bioethanol, ignited in the same container where it is poured, creating a risk of uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting. It said isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, bioethanol and similar fuels can burn above 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and cause third-degree burns in less than one second. Gordon Companies Inc., identified as the retailer of the fireplaces, had not agreed to a recall.

For store teams, the operational burden is clear. Walmart said it works swiftly to block recalled items from being sold and remove them from stores and clubs, while Walmart Marketplace prohibits recalled products from sale. That matters at customer service, in returns, and on the sales floor in garden, seasonal and home departments, where associates may be asked whether a unit can still be used, returned or exchanged. Managers have to make sure any remaining inventory is pulled fast and that the issue does not turn into a wider service problem.

The Northlight warning also sits inside a larger pattern regulators have already tracked. In a December 19, 2024 alert, the commission said alcohol- or liquid-burning tabletop fire pits and fireplaces had been linked to two deaths and at least 60 injuries since 2019. That history helps explain why the Northlight models drew immediate attention in the United States.

A Canadian recall posted in October 2025 showed the same product category was already moving through enforcement north of the border. Consumers were told to stop using Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces and contact Rona for return instructions. For Walmart workers, the recall is a reminder that product safety is not just a corporate compliance issue. It lands in the store, at the register, and on the floor, where fast action can keep a dangerous item from creating another burn case.