When you sit back, relax, and light up a candle, the last thing you’re expecting is for that candle to blow up.
And yet, that’s exactly what many say is happening to their candles and scent diffusers. For years, internet users have shared stories of candles and scent diffusers causing massive problems. For example, one woman alleged that a leaking scent diffuser resulted in part of her car melting.
Now, a user on TikTok says that her Bath & Body Works candle became a towering inferno. However, some users say that it’s her fault.
What Went Wrong With This Bath & Body Works Candle?
In a video with over 310,000 views, TikTok user Hannah (@hokiepokieokie) shows a candle that is fully on fire. Not just the wick is alight; instead, the entire candle, minus its glass enclosure, has erupted in flames.
“Hey.. umm @Bath&BodyWorks I prefer my candles to not blow up,” she writes in the text overlaying the video.
“Well its a good thing I saw the light growing from the hallway,” she adds in the caption. “God only knows how badly this could have ended.”
Was It Her Fault?
In the comments section, users were quick to claim that this was the result of “user error.”
“Hey um so as an employee that hands out candle care cards in bags….this is proudly user error. Hope this helps,” declared a commenter.
“You let it burn too long. Max time you should let ANY candle burn for is 3 hours, then it needs to be extinguished,” said another.
Others claimed that the issue came as a result of Hannah not trimming the wick of the candle. However, Hannah later posted an update in her caption claiming that “the Wicks were not long and I had used it a week or so ago with no issues.”
But if that’s the case, how can this happen?
Why Candles Sometimes Cause Big Fires
Hannah isn’t the first person to claim that this has happened to them. For example, users on Reddit have alleged that they’ve had similar experiences, even after trimming their wicks.
While no one is certain why this happens, one theory that gets floated around is heat buildup. In short, people claim that after a candle has been burning for several hours, heat can build up within the candle itself. It can get so hot within the candle that the wax itself ignites, leading to a situation like what was shown in Hannah’s video.
For their part, Bath and Body Works says on its website that there are other factors that could cause this to happen. The company suggests that “debris that may have accumulated in the wax’s melt pool, wick length and proper pre‐burn trimming” all play a role in how the candle burns.
The company also has a video on its YouTube channel about best practices while using its candles.
@hokiepokieokie well its a good thing I saw the light growing from the hallway, God only knows how badly this could have ended. Edit- yall the Wicks were not long and I had used it a week or so ago with no issues ?? pls chill. I didnt realize the audio was a sad one, I meant for it to be funny. I dont truly blame B&BW. I love them and will continue to buy from them. #bathandbodyworks #candles #housefire ♬ origineel geluid – Zakaria
Commenters Are Shocked
While some commenters blamed Hannah for what happened, others were simply surprised that something like this could happen in the first place.
“My parents in their 60s had no idea they were supposed to trim wicks until i told them,” noted a user.
“Mine have been doing that too!” exclaimed another.
“People are saying user error and all that but like I’ve used candles for so long. I almost never trim the wicks or anything I just watch them when they burn. the candle still shouldn’t have done THAT imo,” detailed a third. “I’ve never owned a BABB candle specifically so this gotta be manufacturer issues.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Bath and Body Works via email and Hannah via TikTok DM and comment.
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