A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.