Bath & Body Works Faces Lawsuit Over Exploding Candle Incident

A woman from Long Island, New York, has filed a lawsuit against Bath & Body Works, claiming she suffered severe burns from an exploding candle manufactured at a Canadian facility. The incident occurred on January 19, 2023, when Renita Francois lit the “Sweater Weather” candle in her home. According to the lawsuit, as she leaned in to smell the candle, it suddenly exploded, sending molten wax and flames in all directions.

Francois’s complaint, filed on July 4, 2023, names both Bath & Body Works and Premier Candle Corporation, the Canadian manufacturer, alleging negligence, failure to warn, and product defects. The claim states that both companies were aware of prior incidents involving their three-wick candles but failed to take appropriate action, such as product recalls or consumer warnings.

In response, a spokesperson for Bath & Body Works denied the allegations, asserting that the explosion was a result of misuse. “In millions of hours of testing, we have never seen our candles explode,” the representative stated in an email to National Post. They emphasized that the candle involved had been improperly burned. The spokesperson maintained that Bath & Body Works candles, including those made by Premier, adhere to the same quality and safety standards as other products sold in the United States.

Francois claims to have followed the safety instructions provided with the candle, including guidelines on burn time and wick trimming. The label advises consumers not to burn the candle for more than four hours and to maintain a wick length of a quarter of an inch. The lawsuit highlights her injuries, which include severe second-degree burns, emotional distress, and permanent scarring.

Her husband, McEvans Francois, is also a plaintiff in the suit, citing that he witnessed the explosion and its aftermath, which led to severe emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium refers to the impairment of the intangible benefits of a relationship, which can be claimed by a spouse, according to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.

The lawsuit describes the candle as “defective” and asserts that the explosion happened “within moments” of lighting it. Francois is characterized in the claim as a mother and advocate for public safety and community reform. “This is not just a physical injury — it is an emotional and psychological battle,” the lawsuit states, emphasizing the ongoing impact of the incident on her self-perception.

Candle safety has been a topic of concern, with Health Canada noting that most candle fires are caused by human error. However, their guidelines also indicate that certain designs, particularly three-wick candles, can pose an increased risk due to the potential for high flames and rapid melting. Such conditions can create a hazard, as they may lead to the ignition of surrounding materials.

Francois’s case is not isolated. In 2017, a Texas woman reported a similar incident involving a Bath & Body Works three-wick candle, although she admitted to not following the provided safety warnings. Since 2004, there have been no reported recalls of Bath & Body Works candles by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. That year, the company voluntarily recalled its “Real Essence” votive candles due to the risk of burning irregularly.

Bath & Body Works continues to assert the safety of its products, stating, “With hundreds of millions of units sold, our candles have a longstanding, exceptional safety record.” They stress that the performance of any candle can be affected by various factors beyond its construction and provide safety tips on their website.

As of now, Premier Candle Corporation has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. The outcome of this case may have implications for consumer safety practices and product liability in the candle manufacturing industry.