Two children were airlifted to a regional burn center, and an adult was transported by ground ambulance after a marshmallow roasting activity went wrong Saturday night at a backyard gathering in the 500 block of The Strand in Oceanside. The incident, which prompted a swift response from local emergency services, has led the Oceanside Fire Department to issue a public safety reminder about the dangers of using liquid or gel fuels in outdoor tabletop fireplaces, a warning relevant to anyone who uses similar devices.
The incident unfolded when a small outdoor tabletop fireplace, being used to roast marshmallows, suddenly flashed and sent flames toward the children, igniting their clothing, according to news reports from FOX 5/KUSI.
Adults at the scene quickly intervened, extinguishing the flames and pouring water on the children. Firefighters and paramedics arrived shortly afterward, treating three people at the scene before transporting them for further medical care. Due to the severity of their injuries, two children were airlifted to the Regional Burn Center in San Diego County for specialized treatment.
One of the children's fathers, who was also burned while helping extinguish the flames, was transported by ground ambulance to the same burn center, where he was reunited with his family. Authorities have not released information regarding the extent of the victims' injuries.
Preliminary findings by investigators indicate the tabletop fireplace was fueled with rubbing alcohol. Fire officials warned that alcohol vapors can ignite unexpectedly, creating a sudden flash fire even during what appears to be normal use.
The Oceanside Fire Department emphasized that devices using liquid or gel fuels, including rubbing alcohol, pose a significant risk when used for activities such as roasting marshmallows because vapors can accumulate and ignite in a sudden flash, sending flames outward toward nearby people, clothing, and other combustible materials, greatly increasing the risk of serious burn injuries.
Emergency crews responding to the scene included multiple Oceanside Fire Department units, Oceanside Lifeguards assigned to the nearby beachfront area, and Oceanside Police officers.
NBC 7 San Diego and the Los Angeles Times reported the tabletop fireplace involved was a FlikrFire device, which was recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in December 2024 due to fire and burn hazards. The CPSC warned that alcohol-fueled tabletop fireplaces can produce uncontrollable fires and dangerous flame jetting capable of causing severe or fatal burn injuries. Officials have not confirmed whether the recalled product directly contributed to Saturday night's incident.
The Oceanside Fire Department is urging the public to avoid using liquid or gel fuels in tabletop fireplaces and to follow all manufacturer safety instructions. Fire officials also recommend keeping children at a safe distance from open flames and never using rubbing alcohol or similar accelerants to fuel devices not specifically designed for them.