While reports of Spontaneous Human Combustion (also known as SHC) go back as far as the bible (Leviticus), there is no concrete evidence that SHC is an actual physical phenomenon.

Probably the most famous case of supposed Spontaneous Human Combustion occurred in Florida in 1951 when 67 year old Mary Hardy Reeser was found nearly completely burnt to ashes (even though nothing else in the room appeared to be burned). While many people took this to be an example of SHC, the FBI was actually called in to investigate the case and found that there was "absolutely no evidence from any of the cases on record to show that burning of this nature occurs."

From the report: "It is not generally realized the extent to which the human body can burn once it becomes ignited. It was formerly believed that such cases arose from spontaneous combustion or the burning was sometimes attributed to preternatural causes."

Like all good supernatural theories, I'm sure that the debate over SHC will continue for as long as people die mysterious deaths. Below is an interesting documentary that looks into the phenomenon of SHC.
Source(s):
http://www.curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=106264
http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/256
http://science.howstuffworks.com/shc1.htm

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