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While spontaneous human combustion isn't acknowledged as a medical condition, the phenomenon remains undeniably real, even if its cause remains a mystery. The leading theory, known as the wick effect, suggests that the body, especially its fat, serves as fuel for these unexplained fires. Yet, some experts dispute this explanation, citing the extraordinarily high temperatures needed to completely reduce a body to ashes. Despite the need for further research, here are 10 notable cases of apparent spontaneous human combustion.
10. Brazilian Woman ‘Instantly Incinerated’ on the Street
On December 16, 2007, multiple witnesses, including police officers, reported seeing a young woman in Brazil suddenly burst into flames and be 'reduced to ashes within seconds.' Her face, arms, and upper torso were so severely burned that she was unrecognizable, and her right leg suffered extensive burns. Strangely, her clothing appeared less damaged than her body, suggesting the fire may have originated internally.
One hypothesis proposed that she was an unfortunate victim of ball lightning, despite how improbable it sounds. Online forums and message boards also speculated that she might have been set on fire as part of a gruesome gang initiation. However, no specific gangs were named, and there was no evidence of accelerants on her body or clothing, making this theory equally unlikely.
9. German Woman Ignites While Sitting on a Park Bench
In November 2015, a woman in Germany tragically lost her life after reportedly bursting into flames while seated on a park bench, witnessed by several onlookers. Despite a bystander attempting to extinguish the fire with his jacket, she succumbed to her injuries.
The woman, believed to be in her forties and a well-known local resident of Flensburg near Hamburg, was sitting quietly on the bench when she suddenly caught fire. Witnesses noted her silence during the incident, sparking speculation that it might have been a suicide.
Initial reports mentioned two men fleeing the scene, raising suspicions of an attack. However, investigators later dismissed this theory, as no evidence of assault or an ignition source was found on her remains.
The woman’s tragic death reportedly left the small town of Flensburg in a state of profound shock.
8. Man Serenely Lies in Doorway as Flames Engulf His Torso
In January 2016, a video emerged online depicting a man in Serbia lying calmly in a doorway as flames appeared to erupt from his body and spread across his torso. A passerby approached him, asking, 'What’s happening?' in an attempt to understand the bizarre situation.
The man’s demeanor was remarkably unusual, as he gestured for the concerned onlooker to leave him alone, seemingly unbothered by the flames consuming his torso. Surprisingly, and fortunately for the man, he walked away from the incident with minimal injuries.
Social media comments from residents of Novi Sad, Serbia, where the incident allegedly occurred, suggest the man is a local known for past 'problematic behavior.' It remains unclear whether he intentionally set himself on fire or was a victim of spontaneous human combustion, though the video appears genuine.
7. Coroner Officially Declares Irish Man’s Death as Spontaneous Combustion
In September 2011, coroner Dr. Ciaran McLoughlin officially concluded that 76-year-old Michael Faherty, who died in December 2010, was a victim of spontaneous human combustion. With over 25 years of experience, McLoughlin noted this was the first time he had ever made such a ruling.
Faherty’s death perplexed investigators, who quickly dismissed the use of accelerants or a fireplace fire as the cause. Remarkably, the flames seemed confined to Faherty’s body, with damage limited to the floor and ceiling directly surrounding his charred remains.
Dr. McLoughlin emphasized that his conclusion was not reached hastily, as he had thoroughly researched the phenomenon before ruling on Faherty’s death. His examination of the body and the fire scene left him with no alternative explanation.
6. Man Erupted with Blue Flames from His Stomach
Researcher Larry Arnold has investigated numerous alleged cases of spontaneous human combustion. One of the most bizarre involves Robert Bailey, a known alcoholic found burning to death in an abandoned South London building in September 1967. Passersby noticed a disturbance in the vacant property and discovered Bailey engulfed in flames, prompting them to call emergency services.
Fire Brigade commander John Stacey, who responded to the scene, later told Arnold that the flames seemed to originate from Bailey’s body, with a slit in his stomach emitting blue, blowtorch-like flames. Remarkably, only Bailey’s body burned, leaving the rest of the building untouched, though heat marks were visible on the wooden floor.
Firefighters used extinguishers to douse the intense flames, but Bailey could not be saved. Notably, only his stomach and torso were burned, with no damage to his clothing or other body parts. Bailey had also bitten into the mahogany stair post so fiercely that a firefighter had to pry his jaws open to free him.
5. Man Instantly Reduced to a Heap of Ashes
Young Sik Kim, a 78-year-old resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, spent most of his life paralyzed from the waist down, relying on a wheelchair for mobility.
In December 1956, while at home, flames suddenly erupted from his stomach, spreading rapidly and engulfing him within moments. Neighbor Virginia Cadet rushed to help and later described him as completely enveloped in blue flames. She called the fire department, but by the time they arrived 15 minutes later, Young Sik Kim and his wheelchair had been reduced to a pile of ash, leaving only his feet intact.
The rest of the room remained untouched, with no damage to nearby objects. Once the flames consumed the paralyzed man, they vanished without spreading further. Firefighters and investigators were baffled, as flammable items like clothes and books nearby showed no signs of burning despite the intense fire that had consumed Kim.
4. Man Miraculously Survives Spontaneous Combustion
Vietnam War veteran Frank Baker was about to go fishing with his friend Pete Willey in June 1985 when he suddenly caught fire while sitting on his sofa. Willey quickly extinguished the flames, and Baker, though shaken, seemed mostly unharmed. However, Baker consulted a doctor, who reportedly told him it appeared he had 'burned from the inside out.'
Baker shared his story on the TV show The Unexplained Files, recounting a second incident during a fishing trip with Willey. Flames once again erupted from his body, focusing on his arms and torso, but Willey helped put out the fire.
If Baker’s account is accurate, he may be one of the few individuals to survive spontaneous human combustion.
3. The Enigma of Mary Reeser Remains Unresolved
According to the FBI report, 67-year-old Mary Reeser fell asleep while smoking in her chair in July 1951 in St. Petersburg, Florida, after taking two Seconal tablets. The report concluded that her body fat fueled the intense fire that led to her death.
Over the years, many researchers and authors have contested the FBI report. They argue that the extreme heat required to reduce Reeser to just a foot, a skull fragment, and a piece of her spine—along with the chair springs—would have caused widespread damage to the building and likely spread the fire.
Yet, this did not occur. Only the area where Reeser sat was affected by the fire. Even a stack of newspapers beside her chair remained untouched, and investigators noted the absence of the strong smoke odor typically associated with a fire hot enough to turn a human body to ash.
Mary Reeser’s case remains one of the most well-known and hotly debated instances of spontaneous human combustion.
2. Baby Ignites Four Times in Three Months
By the age of three months, Rahul had reportedly burst into flames four times, with the first incident occurring when he was just nine days old. His mother, from Chennai in Southern India, was terrified as she witnessed her newborn son inexplicably engulfed in flames.
Dr. R. Narayana Babu, who treated Rahul, suggested that 'combustible gases' emitted from the child’s pores might explain the spontaneous fires. Parents were advised to keep flammable materials, including clothing and diapers, away from him. Rahul is expected to undergo plastic surgery as he grows older.
The parents were further alarmed when Dr. Babu admitted he couldn’t guarantee the incidents wouldn’t recur, stating only that another episode 'may or may not' happen.
1. Man Dies in Flames, Wooden House Remains Unharmed
In 2013, Danny Vanzandt’s charred body was found by relatives in his Muldrow, Oklahoma home. Despite the intense heat required to incinerate the 65-year-old, the rest of the wooden house showed no signs of fire damage.
Despite Vanzandt’s known alcoholism and heavy smoking, evidence at the scene ruled out these factors as direct or indirect causes of his death. The house remained undamaged, and there were no signs of a struggle, eliminating foul play as a possibility. It appeared Vanzandt had simply burst into flames.
Investigator Ron Lockhart emphasized the peculiarity of the case, stating, 'Even dousing someone in gasoline wouldn’t cause such complete incineration!' While Lockhart acknowledged the need for an ignition source, he did not dismiss the possibility of spontaneous human combustion.
