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So, I go and build this nice sandstone lighthouse complete with attractive decking and railing. Of course it has a glass area on top for my light source, which i chose lava. Being a good little minecrafter i was very carefull to seal the lava in glass on the sides and top, with sandstone on the floor. It came out looking great and very bright.

Imagine my amazement when i log in this morning to find that part of the upper deck has burnt away. I run up to the top, cursing my own stupidity thinking i forgot a piece of glass or something, only to find the lava still perfectly sealed. :/

I have many areas with lava surrounded by glass and have never had this happen so im betting there is something with the sandstone that lets fire pass through, but im not sure yet. Just a friendly warning for you guys. I sure would have liked to know this beforehand.

Lava and fire can pass through and burn blocks up to 2 blocks away if I remember correctly. That's how it's always been. When encasing lava or making a fireplace, you're suppose to make sure it's 2 thick all the way around.

From the wiki on Fire and Lava...

More precisely, a fire (or lava) block can turn any air block that is adjacent to a flammable block into a fire block. This can happen at a distance of up to one block downwards, one block sideways (including diagonals), and four blocks upwards of the original fire or lava source.

Well ill be a sob. Thanks mustache_guy.

The part about completely encased lava not spreading is false...thats the problem i ran into. It appears most of the rest is ok, im just gonna use mustache_guys 2 block rule no matter what from now on. I was only doing that for exposed fire sources but they all get the space now.

Thank you for posting this! You've probably just saved me making the exact same mistake on my lighthouse. After hearing this, I'll make the deck at the top wider and place the railing farther away from the glassed in lava I was planning to use to make the light.

The corners were not covered, only the top, bottom, and sides....perhaps if i simply add glass to the corners it will be ok. Nice point mcgizmo, i will try it out.

Quote from UpUp_Away95

Thank you for posting this! You've probably just saved me making the exact same mistake on my lighthouse. After hearing this, I'll make the deck at the top wider and place the railing farther away from the glassed in lava I was planning to use to make the light.

You are very welcome. This dumb mistake cost me 2 hrs of building plus the wood

If it helps even one of you guys avoid that crap it was worth it.

Just discovered something interesting. So the part of the deck that was initially catching fire was a block of planks exactly 1 square on the diagonal away from the lava source blocks. However, the wooden slabs that are 1 block away on the sides do not catch fire from the lava at all. So my solution is to simply extend the slab section one block out and then add my railing and it should be ok.

Quote from JSPRINGY

Just discovered something interesting. So the part of the deck that was initially catching fire was a block of planks exactly 1 square on the diagonal away from the lava source blocks. However, the wooden slabs that are 1 block away on the sides do not catch fire from the lava at all. So my solution is to simply extend the slab section one block out and then add my railing and it should be ok.

Wooden Slabs do not catch fire in this version because they are considered stone, not wood.

Just be aware that changes in an update eventually so they will become flammable.

Awesome, that means it will become even more flammable. Thanks for the heads up again. Guess a redesign is in order for my lighthouse. Thanks for all the input guys.