A pseudo flame detecting portion detects a presence of a pseudo flame due to disturbance light when a sensor output of a flame sensor is equal to or greater than a pseudo flame threshold value and detects an absence of pseudo flame when the sensor output is equal to or less than another pseudo flame threshold value. The combustion controlling portion monitors the pseudo flame detection result from the pseudo flame detecting portion before an ignition attempt in the combustion equipment and, when the pseudo flame detection result continuously indicates presence of pseudo flame for a first monitoring time, cancels the ignition attempt in the combustion equipment.