A paranormal event whereby an individual is supposedly consumed by a fire of unknown or unusual origin such as ball lightening or ignition of bodily gases. In cases of alleged Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC), the body is usually burned beyond recognition whilst the immediate vicinity is left virtually unscathed.

Investigations into the phenomena of SHC established the principles of the 'wick' effect, proposing that those who allegedly fell victim had in fact died of natural causes and thereafter come into contact with an external heat source (e.g. electric heating element, dropped cigarette) causing their clothes to ignite . In this manner, the body's fat acts as the wax and the surrounding clothes as an external wick.

Experiments based on this theory have proved conclusively that enough heat is generated in this manner so as to wholly devastate the body but creates few flames with which to cause a conflagration beyond that locale. This is now the accepted belief and SHC as a paranormal event has been largely dismissed.

This conclusion however, should not prevent one from keeping the term alive especially by way of invective. 'I hope you spontaneously combust you #$@* !' Still remains an effective insult and the ensuing mental picture of the hated individual bursting into flames and screaming like all the beasts of hell is certainly worth preserving.