start with flame initially disabled.
Script whatever lever you want to use to enable the flame. You can also set it up so that the lever will turn the flame off if you want. You need specific, persistent references for any of it to work......
I have written at least a hundred scripts, and none seem to work right. It's been so long since I've done this, I can't remember how it all works. Just trying to brush up before Skyrim comes out. My brain is a bit rusty these days.