Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminating device which is operated on an inflammable liquid fuel and which comprises a container (10), a burner (21), and a wick (22) arranged in the burner. The container (10) has provided therein one or more openings (18, 19) for balancing the pressure within the container. In accordance with the invention, the burner (21) is arranged to co-act with a shield (24) which, in a working position, permits the flame to burn freely, while in the event of the position of the device being radically changed is brought into abutment with the free end of the wick (22) and extinguishes the flame.