What Can Cause Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous combustion can occur when a substance with a relatively low ignition temperature (hay, straw, peat, etc.) begins to release heat. This may occur in several ways, either by oxidation in the presence of moisture and air, or bacterial fermentation, which generates heat.

What things can spontaneously combust?

Carbon-based animal or vegetable oils, such as linseed oil, cooking oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, lard and margarine, can undergo spontaneous combustion when in contact with rags, cardboard, paper or other combustibles.

What are the two examples of spontaneous combustion?

A classic example is the “spontaneous combustion” of oily rags containing paint solvents or automobile oil. One does not want to store large quantities of these rags together, because they can suddenly heat up and catch fire. Another example is the “spontaneous combustion” of coal piles and of underground coal fields.