US woman files lawsuit after Bath & Body Works candle explodes in her face

A former government official in the US experienced a life-altering tragedy while trying to enjoy a quiet moment with a scented candle from Bath & Body Works. The candle suddenly exploded in her face, causing severe injuries and prompting her to sue the manufacturer.

Renita Francois, a 41-year-old mother of two, was known for her bold, fearless presence in public forums and leadership summits.

She served as Executive Director for the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio from July 2018 to April 2022. However, the horrifying incident has left her struggling to face the public once again.

According to the lawsuit filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, the incident occurred on January 19, 2023, at her home in Valley Stream, Long Island.

Francois lit the brand’s “Sweater Weather” candle and bent down to take a whiff when it suddenly exploded, covering her face with molten wax and shattered glass.

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She described the pain as “instant, unrelenting, and beyond anything she had ever experienced.” Her husband rushed her to the hospital after witnessing her face catch fire.

Francois suffered second-degree burns and said the incident has caused ongoing physical pain and emotional trauma.

Her lawsuit named Bath & Body Works and the candle’s Canadian manufacturer, Premier Candle Corp., alleging the product was made “with substandard materials, improper safety measures, and inadequate testing, creating an unreasonable risk of explosion.”

The lawsuit also stated that Bath & Body Works had previously recalled several candles due to reports of glass breakage, burns, and similar injuries.

“This lawsuit is not just about compensation, it is about accountability,” Francois said. “It is about ensuring that corporations that prioritize profit over consumer safety do not escape responsibility for the harm they cause.”

Neither Bath & Body Works nor Premier Candle Corp. has issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit.