[Michele Benn]

Michele Benn  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Is there such a thing as spontaneous human combustion??

What do you think?

[Bored chemist]

NO. Humans are too wet to spontaneously combust.
oily rags can catch fire this way and humans, particularly if they have been dead for a while, can burn but those are different things

[lyner]

Not even when they're incandescent with rage?  [!]

[Don_1]

Stories of human spontaneous combustion are misleading to say the least. They will usually ignore the fact that there probably was some form of ignition, such as a ciggy end or match dropped when not extinguished. What's more, it will usually involve a tramp or someone else who is a tad lacking in the personal hygiene department. It is not the body which bursts into flames, but the clothes they are wearing.

Not even when they're incandescent with rage?  [!]

Maybe if they are fuming!


Do you mind if I smoke? You can burst into flames for all I care!