3 comments

  • oniony 22 hours ago
    I remember watching a documentary in 1990s that largely explained the phenomenon: it was basically that the human body became a candle with the body fat being the fuel and the clothing/blanket being the wick. I think they mentioned the alcohol in perfume or alcholic drink spilt could act as an accelerant.

    In their simulations with pigs they reproduced the effect, including the fire self extinguishing when it reached the unclothed ankles, leaving just the feet.

    Most of the cases were elderly or infirm wrapped in blankets or heavy clothing sitting in a chair by a fire.

  • wrp 21 hours ago
    Interesting phenomenon, cursed by attention from writers on the paranormal. A pretty good treatment is The Entrancing Flame (1996) by retired policeman John E. Heymer. He starts with a case that he personally investigated. As I recall, he has doubts about the wick theory.
  • euroderf 21 hours ago
    I remember reading about this phenom in The Old Farmers Almanac.