An Arizona family's Oceanside camping trip in late June turned tragic when a FlikrFire tabletop fireplace allegedly exploded while they were roasting marshmallows, setting 8-year-old Brock on fire. Brock suffered full-depth second-degree burns to his arms, neck and face, was airlifted to hospital, spent 19 days in the ICU and underwent skin graft surgery. His father and another child were also injured. The FlikrFire device, fueled by isopropyl alcohol, was recalled by U.S. regulators in December 2024 after being linked to prior deaths and dozens of injuries.
Tabletop Fire Pit Allegedly Explodes During Family Trip, Severely Burns 8-Year-Old
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Brock, a young boy with burn scars on his face, stands on a sandy beach wearing a bright orange long-sleeved shirt and swim trunks, Image 2 shows Amanda and Jon Petersen with their three children, including their son Brock, who suffered severe burns in a fire accident, Image 3 shows Brock, a young boy with severe burns on his face and neck, lies in a hospital bed wearing a patterned hospital gown and a neck brace
An Arizona family's annual beach camping trip to Oceanside, California, turned devastating in late June when a portable tabletop fireplace sold under the FlikrFire name allegedly erupted without warning and set an 8-year-old boy on fire.
Brock suffered second-degree burns during the family trip to California Gofundme
The Peterson family had been roasting marshmallows when the round, isopropyl-alcohol–fueled device reportedly produced a sudden flame jet. Eight-year-old Brock sustained full-depth second-degree burns to his arms, neck and face and was airlifted to hospital; another child was also hospitalized after the incident.
Brock in an Athletics baseball jersey Gofundme
Immediate aftermath and eyewitness accounts
The Peterson family Gofundme
'All of a sudden, a huge fireball came out of the roaster, and it lit my son up like a torch. I got really scared, and that's when I was screaming, "Somebody help,"' Brock's father told NBC 7.
A family friend created a GoFundMe describing how the device 'exploded when lit, setting Brock on fire' and noting that Brock's father, Jon, received second-degree burns to his hands while trying to put out the flames. Brock's mother, Amanda, and his younger siblings, Molly (6) and Dean (4), witnessed the accident.
Brock is recovering following weeks in the ICU burn unit Gofundme
Medical treatment and recovery
FlikrFire Instagram/flikrfire
Brock spent 19 days in an intensive-care burn unit and underwent skin graft surgery as part of his treatment. He remains in recovery following the extended hospital stay; the family has said they appreciate support from friends and the community as he heals.
Product recall and safety background
The FlikrFire tabletop fireplace is a small, round personal fireplace intended for indoor or outdoor tabletop use and is fueled by isopropyl rubbing alcohol. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall for the product in December 2024. Authorities reported that the device had been linked to at least two deaths and about 60 injuries since 2019; Canadian regulators also issued a recall in 2023 after reports of dangerous flame jetting.
Investigations into the Oceanside incident and any potential product malfunction are ongoing. Consumers are advised to follow recall notices and safety guidance from regulators and manufacturers when using or storing devices that use flammable fuels.
Support and resources
The family has accepted public support via a GoFundMe set up by friends to assist with medical and recovery-related expenses.
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