Urgent: 3-Year-Old Severely Burned in Fire Pit Explosion

UPDATE: A 3-year-old boy from Morgan Hill is fighting for his life after suffering severe burns from a fire pit explosion that occurred on October 4, 2023. Sebastian Reynoso was preparing to make s’mores with family when the tabletop fire pit unexpectedly exploded, engulfing him in flames.

The incident left Sebastian with second- and third-degree burns covering approximately 15 percent of his body, including his face, neck, and arms. His father, Omar Reynoso, revealed that Sebastian has undergone multiple surgeries during his month-long hospitalization, including skin grafts and treatment for a severely swollen airway.

“This is one of the hardest days of my life,” said Omar, who was in Phoenix when he received the devastating news. “Not knowing what’s going on was unbearable.”

Sebastian was initially treated at St. Louise Regional Hospital before being transferred to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center due to the severity of his condition. He was intubated for nearly three weeks due to airway obstruction caused by burns, but doctors eventually opted for a tracheostomy to improve his breathing.

The fire pit involved in the tragedy, manufactured by Rozato, is known to be fueled by either rubbing alcohol or bioethanol. A worrying alert was issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in December 2024, highlighting the dangers of these fire pits, which have been linked to at least 60 injuries and two deaths since 2019.

Omar stated that his family was unaware of any safety recalls at the time of the explosion. The fire pit retails for approximately $14.99 online. Rozato has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.

Sebastian’s recovery has been challenging, with more surgeries anticipated in the coming weeks. “He’s a very strong kid,” Omar emphasized, noting that the healing process could take up to a year. The emotional toll on the young boy is significant, with Sebastian struggling to understand what happened and experiencing mood swings as he copes with his newfound reality.

His family has established a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $47,000 towards a $200,000 goal to cover his medical expenses. Omar expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, stating, “I never thought the community would step in and reach out and help out.”

Despite the family’s challenges, including hefty medical bills—such as a $14,000 ambulance ride, of which only $3,000 will be covered by insurance—Omar remains determined to ensure Sebastian receives the best treatment possible. “We don’t care what the cost is, we’re going to do it. It’s for our kid,” he said resolutely.

Sebastian’s parents have not yet considered legal action against Rozato but remain focused on his recovery. The medical costs are expected to escalate as he requires additional treatments, including laser therapy to minimize scarring.

As the family faces an uncertain future, they continue to stay by Sebastian’s side in the hospital, where he has only been able to step outside a few times. “He was a very active kid, and now he just doesn’t want to do any of this,” Omar lamented.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with household fire pits, prompting urgent calls for safety awareness among consumers.

Stay tuned as we follow this developing story, highlighting the ongoing recovery of young Sebastian Reynoso and the response from the community as they rally around the family in this time of need.