unfortunately its quite common for the hot water burner to not be removed, sad i know but its a fact.
if they are licking out all the time heat exchanger could be blocked, if they are licking up on ignition then could be dirty pilot assembly burner area.
definately a wise move turning it off, get a engineer out, h/ex could be sooted due to too high a burner pressure etc
get it checked
iain
October 2008