Michael Faherty, 76, was found lying face down near an open fire in his living room in Galway, Ireland.

Apart from his body, investigators could find no other damage in the house.

Dr Kieran McLoughlin, the West Galway coroner, said it was the first time in his 25 year career that he had returned a spontaneous combustion verdict, which is believed to be the first in Ireland.

Spontaneous combustion occurs when an object – in this case a human – bursts into flame from an internal chemical reaction, apparently without being ignited by an external heat source.

In most cases the victim is almost completely consumed, usually inside their home, while little to no damage is recorded to the property itself.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8783929/Irish-pensioner-died-of-spontaneous-human-combustion.html

We took a look into this when working on a major project recently, and concluded that the contractor's risk assessment was satisfactory.

However, during the research, we identified a far greater hazard "spontaneous involuntary invisibility". At first, I was tempted not to take this seriously; then I thought "How often have I gone into a pub -'three pints of heavy, please, landlord!' only to be sorely afflicted with spontaneous involuntary invisibility...

So - take care - you could be gone in the blink of an eye!

I'm not sure if wearing a hi-viz vest would help, but I would be worried about the possibility of static build-up... did anyone check if the Irish pensioner was wearing any man-made fibres?

SC

EDIT:

I went out once with a girl who was doing research into spontaneous combustion, but she was not that hot.

It is a myth.

Michael Faherty, 76, was found lying face down near an open fire in his living room in Galway, Ireland.

It is a myth.

Michael Faherty, 76, was found lying face down near an open fire in his living room in Galway, Ireland.

? What is a myth?

I think its fairly widely accepted that people burst into flames for no apparent reason; I imagine you are the sort of person who does not believe that tugboats can move river water, and pride yourself on your cynical scepticism. You are missing out on a lot. Don't just take my word for it - as Richard4849 and his imaginary friend SomChai.

SC

"How often have I gone into a pub -'three pints of heavy, please, landlord!' only to be sorely afflicted with spontaneous involuntary invisibility...

Don't you mean "instability".....similar to a wobbly table rather than induced by chemical errrm imbalances...

"How often have I gone into a pub -'three pints of heavy, please, landlord!' only to be sorely afflicted with spontaneous involuntary invisibility...

Don't you mean "instability".....similar to a wobbly table rather than induced by chemical errrm imbalances...

Ah - the old "personal earthquake zone"

"Two pints of McEwans Earthquake please, barman"

SC

"How often have I gone into a pub -'three pints of heavy, please, landlord!' only to be sorely afflicted with spontaneous involuntary invisibility...

Don't you mean "instability".....similar to a wobbly table rather than induced by chemical errrm imbalances...

Ah - the old "personal earthquake zone"

"Two pints of McEwans Earthquake please, barman"

SC

Finally someone who understands! In fact don't tell anyone this but I can turn the whole world into a wobbly jelly seemingly at will.

Pretty impressive huh?

I used to be hotheaded and could spontaneously combust at the slightest infraction but with the new smoking ban I make sure to keep a jug of water close by. Changed times indeed.

"How often have I gone into a pub -'three pints of heavy, please, landlord!' only to be sorely afflicted with spontaneous involuntary invisibility...

Don't you mean "instability".....similar to a wobbly table rather than induced by chemical errrm imbalances...

Ah - the old "personal earthquake zone"

"Two pints of McEwans Earthquake please, barman"

SC

Finally someone who understands! In fact don't tell anyone this but I can turn the whole world into a wobbly jelly seemingly at will.

Pretty impressive huh?

I used to be hotheaded and could spontaneously combust at the slightest infraction but with the new smoking ban I make sure to keep a jug of water close by. Changed times indeed.

There may be less smoking but I see just as many people steaming as ever.

Still on the subject of the paranormal, our company uses telepathy as our primary means of communications. As far as I can tell

SC

It bis a myth, have a look at the wick effect on the net. No one has ever seen a person bust into flames with out some outside help. Bet the old guy was rapped in a blanket, which makes you into a slow burning candle. Jim