Spontaneous Combustion

[Jolie Rouge]

Flowerpot's spontaneous combustion blamed for fire
Thu Jul 17, 8:18 PM ET

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - Fire investigators said a fire that destroyed a Mendota Heights home last week was caused by a flowerpot. Fire Chief John Maczko said a flowerpot on the home's deck spontaneously combusted.

While rare, spontaneous combustion can happen to pots with the right mixture of soil, moisture and heat.

Homeowner Dan Stoven said it's hard to believe, but said he's just glad his 17-year-old daughter was able to escape when passers-by entered the home to wake her up.

Investigators said the soil was in a plastic pot that had become hot after several days of high temperatures and humidity. It ignited July 8, and wind helped the fire grow and spread to the deck and then to the house.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080718/ap_on_fe_st/odd_flowerpot_fire;_ylt=Ava9PgYaeGVMjzAOwchnJQAuQE 4F

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com


I'll bet the flowerpot was made in CHINA ! :flowers:

[janelle]

I wonder if the girl was sneaking and smoking. Stashing the butts in the flower pot. HMMMMMM

[jbbarn]

:eek: This is really weird! janelle could be right.

[Jolie Rouge]

I think someone should notify Mythbusters ! Jamie and Adam with have it worked out in a jiffy !

[janelle]

Send the story to their web site. Seriously. I am interested.

[Willow]

I wonder if the girl was sneaking and smoking. Stashing the butts in the flower pot. HMMMMMM

You're always such a cynic.

[freeby4me]

Fertilizer is actually rather dangerous. The right mixture of of it all can in fact cause it to catch on fire.

[PrincessArky]

wow interesting story.......I do believe it possible

[Mom2-3boys]

I remember a few years ago hearing about a house fire that was ruled spontaneous combustion from dirty diapers! Apparantly the people weren't very good housekeepers and had loads of dirty diapers laying in their house and the ammonia from the urine combusted!

[janelle]

You're always such a cynic.

What is your problem? I don't think I can remember anything you have posted. I don't keep tabs on what you think or say. Guess I should be flattered you keep such tabs on me. Whatever, just your opinion. :huh

[magickay]

Saw a news story about something like this recently (past few weeks). A man had a bag of potting soil with plant food at the back of house, where it was exposed to direct sun. The combination of heat and chemicals in the potting soil caused it to ignite. Luckily, minimal damage was done to the house.

[Mom2Shaun]

Wow, that's a horrible thought! I've got a bag of Miracle Grow right outside next to my potting bench. And almost all of my plants are in plastic pots filled with this stuff!

BTW, Jolie, I'm sure you realize that if this pot was indeed made in China, and if this happened regularly, China would possibly have the manufacturer shot! Far from being "bad guys" in the production of goods, they are very concerned about having a good reputation. They were extremely upset by the dog food (etc.) incident and actually shot the main guy who was responsible for this. Manufacturers now know that they had better not do anything to endanger China's exports or they could lose their lives!

Does anyone remember when "Made in Japan" basically meant cheap crap? And look what happened!