House Fire Caused By… Spontaneous Combustion!?

Spontaneous combustion is a type of combustion which occurs without an external ignition source. It's also fairly uncommon. But this summer, in Little Rock, Arkansas, an insurance claims adjuster concluded that the fire that caused $20,000 worth of damage to the Duncan's home was a classic case. Brian Duncan said a flowerpot on the porch was the culprit. You can read the full article here.
     Posted By: Nethie - Tue Aug 31, 2010
     Category: Destruction | Domestic | Science | More Things To Worry About





Comments
We used to get warned about stuff like this in grade school back in the day when we were taught things like knowledge and stuff.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 09/01/10 at 12:00 AM
baling damp hay and storing it in the barn has caused these type fires. it does happen.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 09/01/10 at 12:37 PM
When I lived in Michigan, I worked for an industrial composting facility. They only took in grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, etc, no food garbage of any kind. But they had to watch it very carefully, and turn the rows often with dozers, to keep the threat of spontaneous combustion under control.

Other things that can cause spontaneous combustion - hay bales, grain dust in a metal silo, linseed oil, coal, pyrite, pistachio nuts, large manure piles and unprocessed cotton.
Posted by Nethie on 09/02/10 at 11:25 AM
Very true, ges. Unless it was a monster sized flower pot. Article doesn't say :(
Posted by Nethie on 09/02/10 at 03:57 PM
bury them in ice cream! excellent idea! :lol:
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 09/02/10 at 10:55 PM
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