A lawsuit has been filed by the parents of a Texas teenager who suffered severe burns that were allegedly caused by a defective Blitz gas container.
The gas can lawsuit was filed by Kenneth and Pam Crouch on behalf of their daughter, Brooke Crouch, on July 29 in the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division against Blitz U.S.A. Inc.
According to the complaint, a friend of the teenager attempted to reignite a campfire by pouring gasoline on it from a Blitz gas can. When the vapors outside the can ignited, it caused the can to explode, causing Brooke Crouch to suffer severe burns.
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Learn MoreBurning gasoline sprayed out of the exploding can, dousing the girl on her legs and hands and under her skirt, causing her to suffer third-degree burns. She had to undergo surgical procedures, physical therapy and skin grafts in a burn unit as a result of her injuries.
The family alleges that the Blitz gas can explosion and the girl’s injuries could have been prevented if the product had been sold with a flamer arrestor or other safety device. The lawsuit accuses the company of manufacturing and marketing a defective gas can, strict liability, failing to adequately warn consumers of the possible risks and negligence.
Gas can flame arrestors are an inexpensive safety feature, which usually costs under 50 cents to add to a container. They have small holes within the gas spout, which prevents flames from entering the containier.
The “technology” has been around for over 200 years, as they were first used to prevent explosions when coal miners carrying lanterns encountered pockets of gas within the mine. They are currently found on a number of different products, including certain bottles of Bacardi Rum. Blitz USA participated in a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) task group on flame arrestors in 2007.
2 Comments
SteveJune 27, 2017 at 2:38 pm
I had he same problem. Each time I used the 2 gallon can I'd get gas on my hands. Come to find out the top seem split open for no apparent reason other than it's a defective seam.
GlennJuly 30, 2015 at 5:01 pm
I found this site searching on Blitz gas cans. If you have any Blitz gas cans you should empty them and immediately discard the cans. I have had 5 of the cans split at the top seam. I purchased multiple cans before and after Hurricane Reda, for generator and auto fuel. Two of the cans I have discarded were first used this summer of 2015. The cans do not vent fumes causing the top seam to split and[Show More]I found this site searching on Blitz gas cans. If you have any Blitz gas cans you should empty them and immediately discard the cans. I have had 5 of the cans split at the top seam. I purchased multiple cans before and after Hurricane Reda, for generator and auto fuel. Two of the cans I have discarded were first used this summer of 2015. The cans do not vent fumes causing the top seam to split and push fuel out of the can.