An elderly woman knocked over a candle and set her Bronx apartment afire yesterday, killing five cats, but at least another 31 survived, officials said.

The woman wasn’t seriously injured. Her neighbors said they’ve been suffering from the stench of the unwashed felines for more than a decade.

Even though the cat colony was on the first floor, a resident of the 21st floor of the St. Mary’s Park Houses said the foul odor stunk up her own home.

“I’ve bought eight Airwicks,” said Vanessa Melendez, 39.

After the blaze at 645 Westchester Ave., Animal Care and Control workers found three dead cats, and two so sick from smoke inhalation they had to be euthanized.