Comments on: Spontaneous Human Combustion

By: ARF

ARF — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:07:18 +0000

this might be another case of SHC :

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/138069/quiapo-fire-fatality-puzzles-cops

By: james cottrell

james cottrell — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:10:06 +0000

Although the “wick effect” is present in many of these cases, it is not the source of ignition. The mechanism of ignition is a condition known in the medical field as “hypernatremia” or quite simply, an accumulation of sodium in the body, most often triggered by renal failure (this is the reason alchoholism is often present as well, although it is not the cause of combustion). High levals of sodium, when exposed to water, ignite spontaneously and produce considerable heat and flame. In the laboratory, the effects of spontaneous human combustion can be simulated by injecting pure sodium directly into the flesh of a cadaver. The flesh literally erupts into flame as water and sodium combine to form a very powerful chemical reaction. In a living body, ignition occurs when the concentration of sodium reaches critical mass. Additionally, oxygen present in the surrounding(closed)environment can be consumed by this chemical reaction and generally prevents the fire from spreading to other combustables in the room. If conditions are right, the “wick effect” can then occur, consuming body fats until very little of the victim remains.

By: Kit

Kit — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:32:24 +0000

Why not hypothesize that HSC is the result of some form of powerful ray that for some as yet unknown reason targets certain humans? Say it aims for the solar plexus ie. torso for more assured destruction. Perhaps emitting from a UFO or another dimension. Well, that’s what I tend towards as an explanation. If you can accept this, then all the pieces fall into place. I believe UFO’s have long been in the possession of the US govt., hence no great leap of faith for me.

By: ssd

ssd — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:01:28 +0000

i think it was also on National Geographic “Is It Real?”

By: Kane

Kane — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:57:15 +0000

I’ve heard of people exploding… some person exploded walking down the street or something and then the pieces of body that landed on the ground burst into flames…..
I’ll post that story if you like ;o)

By: donnell

donnell — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 22:11:50 +0000

i seen the show, it went thru the stages of what happens to animal after it dies and how it swells and the weather at the time of them moving the whale and how long it sat here or there during its travel from one place to the other. it was interesting and would of been gross to be there in the path of the explosion of the whale

By: SmartAss

SmartAss — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:22:58 +0000

look if you think about it scientists are trying to discover wot causes spontanius combustion but the human body is an amazing thing scientists dont no every single thing aboutt the human body i think it will alwaysbe a mystery

By: Morris

Morris — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:33:26 +0000

I would suggest people do a little research and learn what kind of temperatures it takes to turn a human body to ashes. I think you will quickly discover the “wicking effect” won’t come anywhere close to those kind of temperatures; fat burns at a very low temperature. Not only that but the fire has to be extremely concentrated because not only do parts of the body remain unburned but there is practically never any damage to surrounding articles, except for possibly some smoke damage.

By: arlyn

arlyn — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:50:00 +0000

why is it that the leg is the last to be burst in flame? maybe some scientist are correct that it is our fats that are making this kind of flame with the help of some bacteria.

just curious to know.

By: katerinaelaena

katerinaelaena — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:43:13 +0000

Talk about making an explosive exit…Spontaneous Human Combustion is definitely a scary way to go out, though intriguing for those left to explore the idea… I saw the picture with the exploded whale in the streets and man, taht was disgusting! I pity those who had been taking a casual stroll at the time of the explosion =(