BBC Focus Magazine

[aaronjm1986]

Is this possible? If so, how is it caused? Could it theoretically be caused by a major malfunction in the hypothalmus, the brain's centre that controlls our body temperature and can humans actually catch fire in the first place or are we just too watery?

[M Paul Lloyd]

Hello there Aaronjm.
It seems that some bizarre cases of people being consumed by an intense but very localised fire have been recorded but the exact cause has not, as far as I am aware, been pinned down conclusively.

From what I know of these cases it seems most likely that some external ignition source, cigarette, electric/gas fire triggers a chain reaction known as the wick effect rather than the body itself simply bursting into flames.

I have not heard of any theory that might involve the hypothalamus but it may well be a significant factor, the problem is that very little in the way of remains have been left to allow for autopsies to be carried out.

[Shadowwolf]

I recall hearing something about volatile gas in the stomach and that if the body fat were to burn it would do so quite intensely, alas I cannot remember much more than that or whether there was any accuracy to either suggestion.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Its a complicated one thats for sure.

It is actually quite difficult to get a body to burn mostly due to the fact that we are roughly 75% water and Hindu tradition calls for some 500 kilogrammes of wood to do the job properly but if a person were badly dehydrated that figure could well be lot less and it was once thought that excessive alcohol consumption could be the cause of actual spontaneous combustion, which as I recall was used in Charles Dickens 'Bleak House' as the demise of one of the charectors but that cause has apparently being discounted, although dribbling a large amount of single malt whiskey down your shirt whilst sitting next to an open fire isn't going to help much......

[Healerman]

Hi, Aaronjm. Welcome to the cut and thrust of Focus Forums.

From what I know of these cases it seems most likely that some external ignition source, cigarette, electric/gas fire triggers a chain reaction known as the wick effect rather than the body itself simply bursting into flames.

As far as I have been able to establish, all well documented cases of spontaneous human combustion have had an external heat source and fit in with the wick effect, which has been tested experimentally and shown to be quite real.

Could it theoretically be caused by a major malfunction in the hypothalmus, the brain's centre that controlls our body temperature

A malfunction in thermoregulation could result in an elevated body temperature. However, anything above 42°C is potentially lethal and certainly by 45°C you're toast, at which point the hypothalamus and all parts endocrine, will cease to function, well short of a potential ignition temperature. So I would say theoretically, and practically, the answer is almost certainly, no.

Of course, there may be other explanations.

[Fleck]

The water from the body must steadily boil off while it burns... Steamy windows tee hee

[aaronjm1986]

Thanks for all your posts guys!

[Lateralman]

Fall asleep near an open fire and Beanz Meanz...Spontaneous combustion!