Back in my one year of university, I often stayed up late working on papers/homework/etc at the computer.
And usually I’d have a lit candle by my side.
I had this pot shaped candle holder. I bought it at a place called South of the Border at the Avalon Mall. I feel as if it said ‘Made in India’ but I can’t really remember for sure. It was metal, aluminum I think, and coloured a deep rich purple. And, this is an important point, it had your standard 5 point stars punched through the metal all around it in slightly off set rings. (Think seats at a movie theater.)
Now, remember, that’s an important point.
Because of the shape, candles would melt down into a puddle easily and it could be a little tricky to light them again. This one night I dropped a paper match inside as I was setting it to the wick. The match went out and so I got another. A little more successful this time I blew out this second match and went to work.
After so long, I took a look at the candle and noticed that I had left the first match still in the candle holder. It was floating in the melted wax. That was kinda cool. ‘I wonder if that’ll act as a wick?’ I said to myself.
But then I turned back to my work.
Now, I don’t really know how long it was, but I eventually heard something over the music I was playing. (Not too loud, it was late at night after all.)
I turned to look at the candle and a wide flame was shooting up out of the top. About a foot and a half high.
Whoa.
What the hell happened? I tried to look inside as best (and as quickly) as I could. Turns out that match did act as wick. And it brought the flame way too close to the melted wax.
What was happening was that the wax itself was burning. It wasn’t using the wick any more. You could see it boiling on the surface and just burning.
So why were the star holes such a big deal?
Well…. remember how I said there was a sound? It wasn’t really just the wax burning. The heat and flame would rise out of the top of the holder and the holes would allow fresh air to come in the sides. More air makes more burning, which makes more heat, which rises and draws in more air. Do you see what I’m getting at?
It was like some twisted rocket engine. The sound was like a blow torch you see in the movies.
What the hell do I do? I have a very dangerous fire. My first instinct was to run up stairs and wake my parents. But just leaving it alone, even for a little bit, might be the most dangerous thing I could do.
It was obviously too hot to touch. (Doesn’t aluminum burn?!?!) And I couldn’t even think where the fire extinguisher was. (Looking back, I wonder if it would have just sprayed the burning wax all over the place)
I needed water and a way to contain this.
What I chose wasn’t the best idea I ever had, but it made sense at the time. Sorta. I got a small plate off the desk and using a knife slid the holder on to the plate. Very carefully.
I started walking to my bathroom with the focus and intensity of a tightrope walker crossing Niagra falls. One foot in front of the other. Slowly. Slowly. Do not lose your balance with this thing!
Like many plates there was a very slight convex surface to it and there was some definite teetering going on for the small trip.
With visions of the plate shattering from the sudden hot surface on it, I reached the bathroom. And remembered that my sink was plastic. That might not be the best idea.
Second choice, the bathtub. But the curtain was drawn and would I really be able to open it and bend down without spilling flaming wax everywhere?
Hummm…..
I decided that possible burn marks in the sink was worth saving the house and everyone in it. I still stand by that.
I slid the plate/roaring inferno combo as best I could under the tap and turned the cold on quickly. A little wax sprayed on the sink but it wasn’t on fire so that was just peachy. The water first made the same hiss as when it hits a frying pan but most importantly – the flame was no more.
Which was all I really cared about.
The candle holder was scorched black on the inside and the outside had gone from a deep purple to a very light lavender. Plus the bottom wasn’t quite flat any more, it bulges out ever so slightly now.
Last time I was home, Mom had it in the main bathroom as the colour was just right for the rest of the room.
I’ve never quite treated a candle the same way since.
You think I would have learned my lesson the first time. But that’s a much older (and much shorter) story.
