Woman left horrified as luxury candle ‘nearly burns her house down’ and leaves horrifying mess after it explodes
Click the video to watch how the candle went up in flames
A WOMAN was left shaken after her luxury candle nearly caused a disaster in her home by bursting into flames and “exploding.”
Kara Gillespe shared the alarming experience on TikTok to warn others.
In the video, shared on her page , she showed the aftermath of the incident, with a burnt mess of dark liquid wax covering her bathroom countertop.
“When your entire candle catches fire and then explodes,” Kara says in the clip, which shows the candle – reportedly from Bath & Body Works – burning uncontrollably.
The glass container had turned black, and melted wax had spilled across her counter, forcing her to scrape it into the sink.
The video has since gone viral, racking up over 4.4 million views and sparking a flood of comments from others who’ve experienced similar mishaps with their candles.
One viewer shared: “Mine did the same thing the first time I lit it. It was the White Barn brand from Bath & Body Works.
“They replaced it, saying this happens with some.”
Another recounted: “This happened to me too – it exploded on my dresser.”
A third chimed in: “It exploded in my hands! So scary.”
Others shared their shock and frustration, with one user joking: “My candle did this last week, but I was too busy putting out the fire to record it. What was I thinking?”
The video has sparked conversations about candle safety and potential design flaws, leaving many reconsidering their next candle purchase.
But some suggested that those who light candles need to be more vigilant with them.
Some suggested that people need to keep an eye on their candles when putting a flame to them.
Whilst others suggested that the wick on a candle should also be cut.
One person warned: “Candles are always to be trimmed down to 1/4 inch before each light.
“Don’t burn if there’s less than an inch of wax in the jar. Put the lit on to smother the flames.
“Don’t burn them for four plus hours.”
Another wrote: “As a candle maker this can definitely happen to all candles and why you should trim your wick.
“Never leave them unattended and don’t burn more than three to four hours.”
Bath & Body Works have been approached for comment.
Candle safety precautions
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Always stay in the same room while a candle is lit. If you’re leaving the area, extinguish it.
Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Avoid flammable materials like paper, fabric, or wood, and ensure the candle is in a sturdy holder to prevent tipping.
Keep candles away from drafts.
Open windows, fans, or air conditioning can cause uneven burning, flickering, or flare-ups.
Maintain a safe perimeter.
Ensure there’s at least 12 inches of space around the candle, free of flammable objects like curtains, decorations, or plants.
Trim the wick before lighting.
A wick that’s too long can create a larger flame, excessive smoke, or cause the candle to burn unevenly. Trim it to about ¼ inch before every use.
Avoid burning for extended periods.
Limit burning to 3–4 hours at a time. This prevents overheating, which could crack glass containers or lead to excessive soot.
Extinguish safely.
Use a snuffer or gently blow out the candle to prevent wax splattering. Never use water, as it can cause the wax to splatter or a glass container to break.