it does !!!!!!
I remember a 30th birthday cake with candles on top needing a fire extinguisher to put candles out, they melted the top of the cake !!!! The trick is when you reach 40 (or 45 in DM's case!), is to find the biggest cake you can find to spread candles out, oh and use normal candles too, not the daft little things they sell, as they have finished burning tother side as you light the 45 !!! Other tip is, call the fire brigade prior to lighting !!!!