A fire igniter uses a chemical reaction of two components, such as glycerin and powdered potassium permanganate, to create a flame. The glycerin may be contained within a crushable vial. The powder may be contained within a sleeve along with the vial, to form a fuel cell. The fuel cell may be contained within an outer cover. Flammable material may be contained with the fuel cell, and is ignited when the fuel cell is broken to create a flame. The fuel cell may alternatively be contained within a housing, which may be formed of a pair of housing sections that are releasably secured together to define an interior compartment. The housing sections are separable to enable the fuel cell to be removed from the compartment. Alternatively, the fuel cell may be contained within an actuable housing assembly that acts as both a package and an actuator.