Spontaneous human combustion

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

Ok, I am a little confused, Why do most of my Paranormal Handbooks, Reference books, Encyclopedia etc refer to Spontaneous human combustion as a paranormal event / process

Can it really be described as that

The following taken from Wikipedia:
Spontaneous human combustion (SHC) is the burning of the human body without an external source of ignition. As it is an unproven natural phenomenon, there is much speculation and controversy regarding SHC. In most cases, a small shrunken skull, part of a leg(s) (with the clothing still on), or sometimes both are found in the remains of the person thought to have combusted.Many hypotheses have attempted to explain how SHC might occur, but those which rely on current scientific understanding say that with instances mistaken for spontaneous combustion, there actually was a source of ignition. One such hypothesis is the "wick effect", in which the clothing of the victim soaks up melted human fat and acts like the wick of a candle. Another possibility is that the clothing is caused to burn by a discharge of static electricity. The likelihood that truly spontaneous human combustion actually takes place within the body is quite low.[1] Another theory is every human body contains varying strengths of electrical field (which is why it is possible to get a mild shock from metal). Every living body also contains gases: oxygen in the lungs, and methane in the intestines. Electrical charges can ignite these gases.
As an anomalous phenomenon

A field of SHC theory[specify] asserts that the cause of SHC is supernatural, though this is not accepted by the scientific community.

Anyone have any theories on this. ANyone hear of any SHC incidences

YB · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject:

I've never heard of it as a paranormal event. Some people just can't help linking all unknown stuff to the paranormal or UFO's.

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

i just tried looking it up you see, as it was involved in a dream i had last night, but very little is known still about it and old school theoriests claim its supernatural

andyw · Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Caterham, Surrey

I think it's just a weird but natural phanomina - how do you spell phanomina? Confused

bitterbuck1 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:59 am Post subject:

I saw a show on spontaneous combustion awhile back.
It was pretty interesting.

Kaz · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 152 Location: Surrey

There used to be a collectable magazine some years ago, I think it was called The Unexplained. In one issue I remember seeing what is now quite famous photographs of spontaneous combustion.

This phenomenon really baffled me over the years, but after watching a television programme which explained that it might well be this so called 'wick effect' I seem to have stuck by this theory as it kind of makes sense to me.

bitterbuck1 · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

Your right Kaz, it had the best explanation that made total sense.

The pictures are a bit creepy looking.
The one picture that is upsetting is the lady sitting in the chair with only her legs left.

Kaz · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 152 Location: Surrey

Yes bitterbug, I remember that picture, so it certainly made an impression Sad

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

Not to sound gross, anyone got any links o any of these famous pics

flossy · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/listverse/mysteries/combustion3.jpg

http://www.zolta.com.mk/informacii/20080612_samoz.jpg

http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/a/0/0/f/e/AAAACmZs-T0AAAAAAA_qlA.png?v=1156783945000

http://www.benecke.com/images/Fig6.jpg

heres a few i found through google

YB · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

Got to figure, what else could it be? Especially since surrounding items are not burned nor are other parts of the extremities.

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

I read that most of these reported cases all happened within a period of time, and yet when was the last reported incident??

YB · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

Good point Damar...

bitterbuck1 · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

I thought this was interesting....

The following facts are common to all SHC cases

1. Eighty percent of the victims are female

2. Most of the victims were overweight and/or alcoholics

3. The body is very badly burned, but the room the body was found in is pretty much intact except for a fine layer of soot

4. A yellow, foul smelling oil is usually surrounding the body

5. The torso, including the chest, abdomen and hips tend to be totally consumed, sparing portions of the extremities and the head - the clothing can also be intact

6. The victim was always on their own - no shouts or screams could ever be heard

7. The victim had usually been drinking heavily prior to the death.

This was one the the latest ones I could find. I'm sure if I looked further I might have found a later one.

24th March, 1997
Co Kerry, Irish Republic. 76 year old John O'Connor was found dead in his living room at Gortaleen by the community nurse who regularly visited him. Mr O'Connors charred remains were in a chair positioned some distance from his hearth. Only his head and upper torso along with his feet remained unburnt. There was little smoke damage to the room or furniture. The Local priest who attended the scene described it as "if somebody had poured petrol into his lap".

From the website: http://www.castleofspirits.com/shc.html