WARNING: Some images in this story may be disturbing for sensitive readers.<\/p>\n
A San Diego man who served as a U.S. Navy helicopter search-and-rescue swimmer is suing Amazon and two companies involved in the manufacture of a tabletop fire pit after he suffered catastrophic third-degree burns to his face, neck and upper body.<\/p>\n
Anthony Trevino was attempting to refill the tabletop fire pit, which is fueled by isopropyl alcohol, when an incident known as \u201cflame jetting\u201d occurred, according to his attorney, Jeremy Robinson. The lawsuit describes flame jetting as occurring when a flame travels back up a stream of liquid fuel into its container.<\/p>\n
\u201cBasically like a flame thrower or fireball and gave him grotesque burns over most of his body,” Robinson said.<\/p>\n
Robinson, who is representing Trevino in the lawsuit, said the fuel burns at more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThird degree burns go all the way down to the nerve level on the skin so they are very painful and very difficult to treat long term,” he said.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit names Amazon and two companies involved in the manufacture of the tabletop mini fire pits. Robinson alleges Amazon bears some responsibility because its website made the product publicly available to consumers, while the company processed the transaction and profited from it.<\/p>\n
In a statement released by the law firm representing him, Trevino reflected on his injuries and his former role rescuing others.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy whole life, my job was to pull people out of danger. I can\u2019t undo what happened to me,” Trevino said.<\/p>\n
Amazon responded to NBC San Diego’s request for an interview with a statement saying the products had been recalled and were no longer available on its website. The statement is below:<\/p>\n