Spontaneous human combustion is one of those creepy mysteries that continue to baffle scientists. Spontaneous human combustion is the occurrence of death from fire – but without any external source of ignition. Throughout history, several cases of spontaneous human combustion (SHC) have occurred – and one of them was right here in the Palmetto State.
In 1953, the burned remains of a man who had been driving along SC-291 (Pleasantburg Road) in Greenville were discovered in the front seat of his automobile on the side of the road.
Flickr/poorpoor
Back then, Pleasantburg Drive was a very different scene, with little development and still plenty of construction projects to come.
Facebook/SCDOT
When the man’s remains were discovered by authorities, they had no choice but to rule the case a death by fire of spontaneous human combustion.
pixabay/PixelLightMedia
Oddly enough, the inside of the car was virtually untouched except for the charred steering wheel and the windshield that had buckled from the heat. No accelerants were detected.
Flickr/Garrett Voight
Authorities found no external cause for the fire and determined it must have started INSIDE the driver.
Flickr/Sebastian Dooris
Over time and with no real conclusion, scientists have theorized there may be a couple things that could cause SHC. Both theories involve coming into contact with some kind of disposable flame (a dropped cigarette) which then ignites the person’s clothing. Then one theory involves a high alcohol content in the victim’s system, causing the SHC. Another theory believes that the victim’s subcutaneous fat causes the SHC.
Flickr/poorpoor
Facebook/SCDOT
pixabay/PixelLightMedia
Flickr/Garrett Voight
Flickr/Sebastian Dooris
Either way, we hope to never find out! Have you ever heard of such a thing?
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