Another science related question.
- Thread starter chrisxuk
- Start date
Soldato
There's no empirical evidence that people spontaneously combust.
This is true.
There are a few well known reported cases but nothing has ever been concrete.
I've never really thought about it to be honest, regardless of if its true or not it doesnt really change my outlook on life.
Associate
I watch CSI, but it's unrealistic enough without spontaneous human combustion!
Soldato
Soldato
In my opinion it is to be placed in the same category as ghosts and stigmata: I've never seen it, but it wouldn't surprise me if there ever became solid, conclusive evidence that it is real.
YEah i saw that as well. Very interesting.
true
Soldato
unless i see it i don't believe it so no - people don't go poof. unless you mean in the gay way...........
Hi there,
I don't believe in spontaneous human combustion... however, I do think it reasonable to think that when someone falls asleep in a sofa and they drop a cigarette on themselves they can burn, with the clothing acting as a wick for the fat. I'm pretty sure I saw a programme where they wrapped a pig in fabric and tried it...
thats the episode of CSI i meant in the OP
Yes and no. It happens but it certainly isn't spontaneous. It takes like 10hours and the victim needs to be wearing denim or in a towel. Something hat acts as a wick. It then draws the fat out the body and everything including the bones burn.
but before this was known obviously people just called it spontaneous combustion as they didn't know what caused it.
but before this was known obviously people just called it spontaneous combustion as they didn't know what caused it.
Man of Honour
I remember skimming through a book on SHC, written by a True Believer. There was a photo of a body, burned from the head down to about the waist. The caption said something like: "There were no sources of ignition in the room!". The corpse's head was in what was quite clearly an open fireplace.
Edit: it's astonishing how many SHC cases seem to involve chronic alcoholics. The sort of people who could set themselves on fire and be too stupefied to notice.
That's how much I believe this nonsense.
M
Edit: it's astonishing how many SHC cases seem to involve chronic alcoholics. The sort of people who could set themselves on fire and be too stupefied to notice.
That's how much I believe this nonsense.
M
Given all the CCTV, video coverage of large events, and every second person having a video capable mobile, I'm sure we'd have some real evidence by now if it existed.
Despite all the stories of people simply going "WOOF" up in flames, all the actual documented cases seem to just be people who have been found burnt in an otherwise unburnt room - which as someone said is the wick effect.
Human fat can burn at low enough temperature that it doesn't spread to cause a fire.
Despite all the stories of people simply going "WOOF" up in flames, all the actual documented cases seem to just be people who have been found burnt in an otherwise unburnt room - which as someone said is the wick effect.
Human fat can burn at low enough temperature that it doesn't spread to cause a fire.
Soldato
To me "spontaneous combustion" is akin to "unexplained combustion". Considering it's never really been observed or properly documented, it's a little dubious.
That said, I suppose a build up of charge (static electricity) leading to a spark could probably cause a fire.
That said, I suppose a build up of charge (static electricity) leading to a spark could probably cause a fire.