January 2, 2018 ▸ Other, Science

Episode 261: SHC: Spontaneous Human Combustion

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On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the allegedly supernatural phenomenon of Spontaneous Human Combustion. Called SHC, Spontaneous Human Combustion has occurred for hundreds of years, with the earliest examples coming from the 1400s with a drunken Italian knight, and then many more cases coming up in the 1600s through modern day. In these cases, certain patterns emerge. The victims are found burnt alive with a very high heat. Their limbs and extremities are the only things left of them after the fire. The furniture and buildings don’t light on fire for some odd reason. There is a sweet smell it the air and greasy stains on the ceiling. There is no natural cause of flame that is identified.

So, what is the story with this? Can people really ignite internally and burn fast and hard, leaving the world around them intact? If so, modern science tries to explain it. They propose something called the Wick Theory, Methane and Enzymes, Static, and something called Pyrotrons. However, people as far back as Charles Fort suggest that science works too hard to explain this phenomenon.

People have tried to recreate SHC by using the bodies of dead pigs under various circumstances. From hay and oil stuffed in stomachs to smoldering blankets, people have tried to make SHC occur with various levels of success on the results. More recent theories even point a finger at diabetes and bodies gone into ketosis.

And, you can’t talk about Spontaneous Human Combustion without looking at famous cases like Mary Reeser, who ignited in Florida in 1951. A thorough, forensic investigation involving police, fire marshals, and even the FBI ruled out most logical causes. We look at her case, and we explore every possible cause from the supernatural to blood-alcohol levels. If you’re worried about lighting on fire while you listen to a podcast, don’t miss this one.

Thorough History of SHC:

http://anomalyinfo.com/?q=Topics/spontaneous-human-combustion-brief-history

Skeptic Response to SHC:

http://skepdic.com/shc.html