Spontaneous Human Combustion
People bursting into flames with no external source. The body is reduced to ash, but a foot in a slipper remains. Furniture nearby is untouched. Over 200 documented cases. Science has no definitive explanation.
Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC) is the alleged phenomenon of a human body catching fire without an external ignition source. Over 200 cases have been documented, though scientific explanations exist for most.
The Phenomenon
According to documented accounts:
Classic SHC cases feature:
- A body burned almost completely to ash
- Extremely high temperatures (estimated 1,500°C)
- Surrounding furniture largely untouched
- An extremity (often a foot) remaining intact
- Greasy residue on walls and ceiling
- No apparent source of ignition
Famous Cases
Mary Reeser (1951): Found in her Florida apartment. Only her skull, a backbone, and a slippered foot remained. Her chair was destroyed, but nearby papers were unburned.
Dr. John Bentley (1966): Found in his Pennsylvania bathroom. Only his leg remained. His walker was beside the hole burned in the floor.
Henry Thomas (1980): Found in Wales with half his body burned away, the other half intact.
Michael Faherty (2010): Irish coroner recorded “spontaneous human combustion” as cause of death—rare official acknowledgment.
The Characteristics
Pattern seen in alleged SHC:
- Victim often elderly or infirm
- Alone when combustion occurred
- Near a heat source (fire, cigarette)
- Often had been drinking alcohol
- Combustion localized to the body
Scientific Explanations
The Wick Effect: The most accepted theory:
- An external ignition source (cigarette, candle) starts a small fire
- Body fat melts and is absorbed by clothing
- The body becomes like a candle, with fat as wax
- Low-heat, long-duration burn consumes the body
- Extremities away from torso are spared
Alcohol Consumption: Does not make bodies flammable, despite folk belief.
Ketosis: Diabetic or starving individuals produce acetone—flammable but not in sufficient quantities.
Why It Seems Spontaneous
The “spontaneous” appearance comes from:
- The victim being alone
- Long burn time (12-14 hours)
- The ignition source being consumed
- The localized nature of the burn
Problems with the Wick Effect
Critics note:
- Some victims weren’t near ignition sources
- The temperatures required seem too high
- Some cases burned too quickly
- Not all victims had high body fat
Historical Cases
SHC has been reported for centuries:
- 1663: First documented case (Denmark)
- 18th-19th century: Multiple reports in Europe
- Charles Dickens featured SHC in “Bleak House” (1853)
- Cases continue to be reported worldwide
Modern View
Most scientists believe:
- There is no true spontaneous combustion
- All cases have external ignition sources
- The wick effect explains the burn pattern
- “Spontaneous” cases have undiscovered causes
Yet the phenomenon continues to fascinate:
- New cases are occasionally reported
- Some remain difficult to explain
- The mystery persists in popular culture