“Shockwave of Fire”: Bath & Body Works Candle Leaves Woman With Severe Burns

“I felt a shockwave of fire and debris directly into my face,” she recalled. The blast reportedly burned off her eyebrows, melted her eyelashes, leaving a long and big scar on her confidence, adding,  “The pain was instant, unrelenting, and beyond anything I had ever experienced.” 

Her husband, McEvans, who was present during the incident, described the horrifying moment in the lawsuit: he “witnessed his wife’s face catch fire, crackle, and blister as molten wax burned her skin. 

Before the incident, Francois worked as executive director for the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighbourhood Safety and spoke often at public events. Now, she says she “dreads stepping in front of a room.” She shared, “Before the explosion, Renita was bold, fearless, and effortless in commanding an audience. Today, she walks into public meetings, panel discussions, and leadership summits knowing that her scars speak before she does.”

The suit names Bath & Body Works and Premier Candle Corp., the Canadian manufacturer of the $17 candle. Francois alleges that the product was made with “substandard materials, improper safety measures, and inadequate testing,” making it prone to explosions. The complaint also claims the use of chemical additives rendered the wax “highly flammable.”

Francois referenced a 2016 recall involving similar incidents, stating the company had long been aware of the risks. “This lawsuit is not just about compensation, it is about accountability,” she said. “It is about ensuring that corporations that prioritise profit over consumer safety do not escape responsibility for the harm they cause.”

This case raises questions about product safety and a brand’s responsibility towards its consumers’ safety.