• Question: is there a scientific explanation for spontaneous combustion?

    Asked by Adam to Anna, James, Joe, Leonie, Olivia on 11 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Joe Spencer

      Joe Spencer answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      There’s lot’s of theories for this effect, but first what is it.
      Spontaneous combustion is when an object bursts into flames due to a chemical reaction without the obvious use of any sort of flame. Quite alot of spontaneous combustion can be explained by very dry substances that with a little heat from the sun can burst into flames (forest fires).
      Now there is no real scientific evidence that this has happened in humans (which is what i guess you’re hinting at with your question) there are some claims for it being fats in humans burning due to fire, or build up of static electricity or even methane built up in the body, but none of this is supported by scientific evidence so just stands as theory and guesses.

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      Hi Adam,

      When a substance gets hot on its own, it can reach a point where it can ignite itself and cause it to burn. This is the definition of spontaneous conbustion. Causes of it include bacteria and oxidation. It occurs a lot in hay piles that are too big, bacteria start to react causing the hay to break down and release heat which can result in it catching fire.

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