Would a merciful God burn people forever?

I know some people are bad and will not be reached no matter what. But doesn’t it seem more fair and loving to just take away the reward of eternal life than to burn them forever? I know all of the scriptures about fire (and people interpret those to mean different things) but what about common sense? Hellfire would be torture. Imperfect people (most) think it is wrong to torture someone even if they are wrongdoers. So why would God? Please avoid saying “God doesn’t send them there, they send themselves” if at all possible. God would be the one meting out the punishment for the crime and we all know that.