<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The "wick effect" is the commonly accepted explanation for spontaneous human combustion. In this observed and tested phenomenon, a person's own body fat acts as the fuel source, with the clothing acting as a wick, thus creating a sort of human candle. Upon ignition by a cigarette or some other source, the fat melts into the clothing, or drips down into the chair, acting as a continuous fuel supply, which can easily raise the temperature to that required to destroy bone. When all the fat is used up, the fire goes out, without damaging much of the surroundings.