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Counterfeit Squishy Toy Helped Fuel Pennsylvania Row Home Fire, Fire Marshal Says
Testing found flammable, toxic chemicals in the fake toy, and Amazon removed some squishy toys after safety concerns were reported.
- Lancaster City Fire Marshal Tom Hoffman identified a counterfeit squishy dumpling toy as the catalyst for an August 5 fire that damaged two rowhomes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sending one person to the hospital with minor burns.
- Testing by a Georgia laboratory revealed the fake toys contain benzene, toluene, and cyclohexene—chemicals that are highly flammable and toxic. Hoffman notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission two days after the fire, noting their concurrent warnings focused on health hazards rather than flammability.
- National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reports show 1,806 people were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to "squeeze and/or squeaker toys" in 2025, with most diagnoses burn-related. Amazon proactively removed some viral squishy toys from its store following reported safety concerns.
- Following Hoffman's warning, the School District of Lancaster is discouraging students from bringing squishy toys to school and passing the message to principals. The district plans to discuss safety measures further at its next safety committee meeting in September.
- Hoffman urges consumers to "keep them away from your children and make sure you only have name-brand products," warning that even items from major retailers may be counterfeits. He recommends double-bagging suspected fake toys that emit petroleum-like chemical odors or lack safety warnings.
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Counterfeit squishy toy helped fuel Pennsylvania row home fire, fire marshal says
"When these things get an initial source to them, they will heat up, they will burst, and flammable materials go everywhere." | A counterfeit squishy toy helped fuel a Pennsylvania row house fire, according to a fire marshal.
·Milwaukee, United States
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Lancaster fire marshal warns of fire, health hazards from counterfeit ‘squishy’ toys
A popular squishy toy that looks like a dumpling is facing new scrutiny after Lancaster fire officials linked a counterfeit version to a rowhome fire and laboratory testing found the toys can contain highly flammable and toxic chemicals. Lancaster City Fire Marshal Tom Hoffman said a counterfeit squishy dumpling purchased by a family a day before an Aug. 5 fire acted as a catalyst in the blaze, according to WGAL. The fire broke out about 3 a.m. …
·Gettysburg, United States
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Total News Sources27
Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center26Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
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