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Posted: 28-02-2008 21:28 Post subject: 'Flaming Torch' Cyclist Seriously Burnt

Does this sound like a potential SHC experience with an equaly odd explanation given for it?

Posted: 29-02-2008 08:04 Post subject:

A very odd explanation. IMHO it's just as likely that a passing motorist threw a "dog end" out of the window, which nestled snugly in his lap (happened to me once on my motorbike).

Posted: 29-02-2008 08:40 Post subject:

That sounds really quite a plausible cause. A passing car, flicked cig stub, dodgy man-made fibre trousers (the "material of his trousers does get a mention in the report)...and wumpf.

Mr P

Posted: 29-12-2008 21:51 Post subject: Spontaneous Human Combustion

I've been reading the posts on this topic and found some of the possible explanations interesting. A number of researches often rule out the wick effect, even though they tried to explain it in a BBC programme around 10 years ago.

I always believed the case in Ebbw Vale in 1980 was a classic example of the wick effect until I read John Heymer's book The Entrancing Flame. As mentioned in an older post on this topic, John Heymer said that victim Henry Thomas's ashes were "as white as blackboard chalk".

I wonder if some kind of "self-destruct" mechanism can result in SHC, possibly caused when a person is lonely and/or depressed. Henry Thomas's wife had died and of course many other SHC victims were elderly and has lost a spouse.

I'm sure the QED programme around 10 years ago showed a photo of Henry Thomas's remains by his fire, but I've never seen it anywhere else.

Posted: 30-12-2008 14:26 Post subject:

shouldn't we be seeing an unduly high number of SHC cases associated with psychiatric units, in that case?

Posted: 31-12-2008 00:16 Post subject: Spotaneous Human Combustion

This is an interesting point about psychiatric units. But perhaps the patients, due to being on medication, do not feel as depressed. There have been one or two cases of hospital patients being SHC victims, though -they are mention in an earlier post.

Posted: 31-12-2008 00:36 Post subject: Re: Spontaneous Human Combustion

Posted: 01-01-2009 21:52 Post subject: Spotaneous Human Combustion

Cheers for the picture. I've seen this in John Heymer's book - this is actually a drawing he made. I could be imagining things, but I'm sure I saw the actual photo on QED because I seem to remember the television with the melted knobs appearing in the picture.

Posted: 21-02-2010 23:41 Post subject: Spontaneous Human Combustion

Hi all,

just wondering if anyone's noticed recent reports of SHC. Whenever I read about the subject, the stills all seem to be from the classic reports of the 80s.

Is it still going on, or are most cases explained using modern technology?

Posted: 22-02-2010 02:55 Post subject:

Hi This is what we know so far.

link removed as threads merged - stu

Posted: 20-08-2010 05:26 Post subject:

A good article on the subject here:

http://cogitz.com/2009/09/06/spontaneous-human-combustion/

But think twice before you enlarge the photos... Shocked

Posted: 22-08-2010 18:31 Post subject: Re: Spotaneous Human Combustion

Posted: 22-08-2010 21:34 Post subject:

I´ve now twice been dumb enough to have a battery in the same pocket as my keys. The short circuit created enough heat to hurt me. Anyone know if it could actually cause enough heat to set fire to clothes?

Posted: 22-08-2010 22:10 Post subject:

Posted: 23-08-2010 00:16 Post subject:

Steel wool is thinner though, meaning more resistance and heat. I guess it does mean it could happen.