These words describe something that is producing flames.
Burningis a common word for this and used before a noun.
He entered a burning house to rescue a child.
You can say that something ison fireorin flames.
The theatre was on fire.
The whole block was in flames.
Ablaze,aflame, andalightall mean burning. They are not used before nouns.Ablazeis usually used of buildings or vehicles, whileaflameandalightcan be used in most contexts. These words are mainly used in fiction and news reports.
By nightfall dozens of buildings were ablaze.
Shops and vehicles were set aflame.
Soon the neighbouring houses were alight.