Romaine Sponsors 'Michael's Law' to Ban Sale of Fuel Gel In Suffolk

As legislators on the to immediately recall all fuel gel candles while an investigation is being done on their safety, Suffolk County Legis. Ed Romaine, R-Center Moriches, announced his intent to ban sales of the candles entirely.

Titled after 14-year old Riverhead resident Michael Hubbard, who suffered third degree burns and remains in critical condition at Stony Brook University Medical Center, 'Michael's Law' would halt the sales of all fuel gel for good in Suffolk.

“There is no question that  these products are dangerous and are a threat to the health and safety  of county residents,” said Romaine. “They should not be on the market. We cannot allow another family to suffer the same devastation as Michael’s."

A message to Napa Home and Garden, the manufacturer of the product which burned Hubbard, was not immediately returned on Friday. Napa put a , though other similar products remain on shelves.

Romaine's legislation defines fuel gel as follows: "any semi-solid, pourable gelatinous material containing ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol manufactured for use in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces, or firepots."

The gel contains no wick and users and witnesses to accidents have stated that because no wick is used to burn the material - the fuel gel itself burns - determining when the fire is out is hard to judge. And when more fuel gel is added into the container holding the gel - usually a ceramic pot - an overpouring of the gel can occur, resulting in a minor explosion. Good Morning America conducted experiments in a segment earlier this week.

According to Romaine, the legislation will be the subject of a public hearing in August.