Is spontaneous human combustion for real?
Judging from several resources in our Spontaneous Human Combustion category, it seems doubtful. Most of the evidence supporting the phenomenon is based on the charred corpses of habitual smokers. That being said, the human body does burn quite effectively once it’s ignited. A Skeptical Enquirer piece by Joe Nickell entitled “Not-So-Spontaneous Human Combustion” describes a “wicking effect,” in which the fatty tissues in the body burn much like the wax of a candle, while clothing acts like a wick. But don’t take our word for it — examine the evidence and decide for yourself if spontaneous human combustion (aka SHC) is real. Anomalies offers a simple chronological list of documented episodes that feature bizarre burnings.
