Irish spontaneous Combustion

[mudskipper]

There was a documentary many years ago in which someone (an experienced fire investigator I think) explained his theory. Unfortuately I can't remember the detail, which is going to spoil my post a little.

It's always an old person in a sealed room near a fire, and although they are burnt up, little else is damaged.

I think the lack of damage elsewhere was due to insufficient oxygen in the room for fire to spread, but the body is able to slowly smoulder away, with body fat providing fuel for the fire.

Yes - I remember that. I think there was a hogroast analogy. Often the feet were left.

[IR35 Avoider]

There was a documentary many years ago in which someone (an experienced fire investigator I think) explained his theory. Unfortuately I can't remember the detail, which is going to spoil my post a little.

It's always an old person in a sealed room near a fire, and although they are burnt up, little else is damaged.

I think the lack of damage elsewhere was due to insufficient oxygen in the room for fire to spread, but the body is able to slowly smoulder away, with body fat providing fuel for the fire.

[PAH]

Yep. As more old folk struggle to pay the heating bill extreme solutions will be found.

[Spacecadet]

perhaps with Global Warming we'll see more of these

[PAH]

This thread sheds some possible light on the matter:
[thread censored due to not being in the public interest]

Nah. Nothing's that simple. If it eludes the finest minds of forensic science, it must be as hard to fathom as particles that can travel faster than light. If only Einstein was still alive.

[TimberWolf]

Jesus, two in one day. This is getting out of control now.

[Spacecadet]

Baffling. Anyone any ideas?

This thread sheds some possible light on the matter:
http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...ry-solved.html

[PAH]

Baffling. Anyone any ideas?

[zeitghost]

BBC News - 'First Irish case' of death by spontaneous combustion