How do I get distance inbetween parts?

I am trying to get the distance between a player's HumanoidRootPart and the main fireplace part so that I can make it so that you can light the torch up it in a certain range. I've been trying lots of methods recently for example Roblox's method.

local magnitude = (part1.Position - part2.Position).magnitude
while true do
	if magnitude<5 then
		--- code ---
	end
end

I've replaced part1 and part2 with my parts and it did not work. I've also tried a different method posted on this website 3 years ago.

local player = game.Players.Player1
local radius = 5

if player:DistanceFromCharacter(part) < radius then
    print('player is within radius')
end

I've also replaced part with my part and it did not work either. Is this a problem or are my scripting skills still under a rock?

while wait(1) do
local magnitude = (game.Players.LocalPlayer.Character.HumanoidRootPart.Position - game.Workspace:FindFirstChild("Baseplate").Position).magnitude
    if magnitude<5 then
        print("HOLY COW!!!")
    end
end

--distance between character and baseplate local script