spontanious human combustion, truth or myth?

Answer 1

myth

Answer 2

The spontaneous part is bunk... but....

The cases that people have called "spontaneous human combustion" are actually cases where the person was either passed out or already dead and was exposed to a combustible material. Once the combustible runs out, and the skin and clothing have burned off, the fat is exposed, so the fire just keeps burning. It is by no means a hot fire, but rather a cooler fire that keeps burning. With extended exposure to even these temperatures, the entire body becomes "fuel" for the fire. (Remember - bone contains lots of fat inside of it, contained in the marrow, so the bone serves as a fuel source too.)

The only remains from this type of combustion is usually the feet and/or hands because they simply do not contain enough fat, heavy bone, and muscle to keep the fire burning. Generally in these cases, the person's home has not sustained significant damage.

It's a weird phenomenon, but entirely non-spontaneous. (Unless catching your dead self on fire with a cigarette is spontaneous.)

Answer 3

I believe this is a myth, because it seems like an external fuel source is not only necessary, but the body fat that's supposed to act like a human "fuel" for the fire is much too slow for the effect to be anywhere near "spontaneous".

Answer 4

Myth.

http://www.csicop.org/si/9611/shc.html

Also, search <>.

Answer 5

myth, it has been tested and retested and always come up myth