A burner (10), particularly for vehicle heaters, includes a flexible panel (12) that separates an inner combustion region (14) from an outer region (16). A light-sensitive sensor for flame recognition is arranged in the outer region (16), and the flexible panel (12) includes at least one light opening (20) that allows the passage of light from the inner combustion region (14) into the outer region (16). The light opening (20) also allows the passage of combustion air from the outer region (16) into the inner combustion region (14).