We all start somewhere, I did too and didn't have others to ask.
The particles won't emit light so you will have to add the light manually to where they are placed.
Using the hardware lights will limit you. Going from room to room, you will need to reset the lights to the new room.
ie.
light on ceiling
light from holding a torch
light from a tv or monitor screen
light from particles used to emulate a flame
Most of the above can be placed into a light mapped texture. But doing that will be at the expense of shadows. Although as you may notice, most games do not use 'very real' shadows anyway from all light sources.
I would check out something like DeleD first and see the effect the light mapping gives you and then add the extra lights when needed...
Warning! May contain Nuts!