Inferno Candle

A photograph of SCP-XXXX prior to containment

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept on a concrete pedestal in the center of a locked concrete container. Windows around the container must only be made from Borosilicate glass due to its extremely high melting point and heat resistant properties. The entrance must reside behind a set of two airlocks, which are to be tested regularly. Air pressure in the container is to be kept as low as possible. Every forty-eight hours, a pile of no less than five logs of any type are to be placed in close proximity to SCP-XXXX. While humans are in the room with SCP-XXXX, an overhead sprinkler is to be activated and not turned off until the airlock has been reestablished. The following day, the resulting ash is to be cleaned from the container. Both of these tasks must only be performed by D-Class personnel wearing flame-resistant suits.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a sentient, lit white candle measuring roughly eight inches in height and two inches in diameter. Since containment, the flame on its wick has not been able to be extinguished, even when submerged in water. It is situated in a simple candlestick of an unidentified metal, likely brass. After investigating multiple fires of unknown causes within a church in █████, North Carolina, SCP-XXXX was found surrounded by four piles of ash and its anomalous properties were revealed. When agitated, SCP-XXXX attacks by discharging a beam of fire from its wick. The intensity of this beam lessens with air pressure and can be suppressed by water. When the beam makes contact with any flammable or organic matter, spontaneous combustion occurs and the victim is reduced to a pile of ash. Though it does not have a visible mouth or vocal cords, SCP-XXXX is able to speak and has the voice of a young male child between the ages of █ and 10.

Although SCP-XXXX appears to be perpetually burning, it becomes shorter over time like an ordinary candle would. After consuming matter, whether organic or flammable, SCP-XXXX regains this lost height but will not exceed a height of eight inches. It is unconfirmed what exactly will happen once the wick burns away completely, but following an interview with SCP-XXXX, the foundation has decided to provide it with the fuel it needs to prevent this from happening (See Addendum XXXX-A).

+ Interview Log XXXX-A - Hide Text On March 12, 20██, SCP-XXXX was noticed to be mumbling to itself. During the following cleaning, a microphone and speaker were installed in the top of the back left corner of the container. Once the cleaning had finished, Dr. ████ initiated conversation. The log of the events that transpired is attached below. Interviewed: SCP-XXXX Interviewer: Dr. ████ <Begin Log> Dr. ████: Hello? Can you hear me? Subject continues mumbling to itself. Dr. ████: Can you not understand me? SCP-XXXX: No, I can. Where am I? Why did you take me out of my home? Dr. ████ expresses shock at the immediate coherence of SCP-XXXX. Dr. ████: This interview isn't about us. It's about you. Where did you come from? Subject hums while disintegrating specks of dirt on the floor, clearly uninterested. Dr. ████: Here's another question. Why do you need to consume matter and what will

happen once your wick burns all the way down? Subject's attention is drawn immediately as a noticeable change in tone of voice occurs. SCP-XXXX: Oh, you mean burnin' stuff? It keeps me going, you know? Once my flame runs

out, I think I die. Dr. ████: What exactly happens when you die? The voice of SCP-XXXX grows more distant. SCP-XXXX: I'm not really sure, but all this fire has to go somewhere. Ooh, maybe there'd be a big explosion! I only use a tiny bit of it each time, seeing all of it come out would be awesome! Dr. ████'s voice noticeably changes to one of fear. Dr. ████: How much fire are we talking about here? Subject giggles and releases one of its beams, a larger one than that which had been previously recorded, directly at the speaker and microphone. They begin to melt and signal ceases immediately. Closing Statement: "It is in our best interest to continue to provide SCP-XXXX with fuel. Although this candle itself is not a reliable source, the possibility of an explosion exponentially larger than one we've seen is too dire to simply shrug off. I have updated the Special Containment Procedures in order to account for this." - Dr ████, Head Researcher