They somewhat resemble an ordinary candle, but those portable firepots that hold gel fuel have caused serious burns and even death. We agree with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who wants the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall all gel fuel products.

The Commission says that 57 injuries and two deaths have been reported as a result of the pots. They are investigating the cases and the products on the market to determine why such accidents have occurred.

In firepots, the flame is fueled by gel that comes out of a bottle and burns without a wick. The products have increased in popularity because they stay lit even in wind, and the flames can reach 5 or 6 inches tall.

When a consumer adds gel to an open flame, a flame erupts. The gel makes it difficult to put out a fire if someone or something is on fire. The gel can spread, so trying to extinguish the flame on another person or object can cause the gel to get on the person trying to put out the flame and burn them as well.

Even though safety instructions appear on the bottles, many people don’t read them and fail to realize that the product can explode into a flaming fireball. It’s like throwing water on grease on a stove, sources say. Complicating the situation is that people often don’t know whether the gel fuel is burning because there isn’t always a visible flame.

The brand of gel fuel that resulted in a man’s death in Florida earlier this year was recalled, but other companies manufacture and sell similar products.