No, it is not possible for an actual fire to start inside the human body. The body contains no naturally occurring oxidizers or fuels that could sustain combustion. However, there are some medical conditions that may feel like a “fire” inside the body or give the sensation of burning. These conditions are often related to dysfunction in the neurological or gastrointestinal systems. While distressing, these symptoms do not indicate that the body is actually on fire.
What is fire?
To understand why fire cannot start in the body, it is helpful to review what fire is and how it occurs. Fire is a chemical reaction called combustion that gives off heat and light. Three key elements are required for fire:
Fuel
The fuel is a material or substance that can burn. Examples of common fuels are wood, gasoline, natural gas, and coal. The human body contains no naturally occurring substances that can act as fuel for combustion.
Oxidizer
The oxidizer is a substance that provides oxygen for the chemical reaction. In an open fire, the oxidizer is the oxygen in the air. There are no endogenous oxidizers in the body that could contribute oxygen to a fire.
Heat
Heat energy is required to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature to start the fire. There are no metabolic processes in the body that generate heat at levels high enough to ignite a fire. The average body temperature is 98.6°F – too low to ignite any potential fuels.
Lack of ignition sources
In addition to missing key ingredients like fuel and oxidizer, there is no natural source of ignition inside the body that could start a fire. Potential ignition sources like sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces are not present internally.
Chemical reactions in the body do not cause fire
The body’s metabolic processes involve many chemical reactions that give off heat, but not at levels that could cause fire or burns. For example:
- Cellular respiration involves oxidizing nutrients to produce energy in the form of ATP. However, the heat generated is minimal and quickly dissipated.
- Immune cells release oxidizing agents as part of the oxidative burst to destroy pathogens. But these localized releases do not affect whole tissues or organs.
- Heat from exercise comes from muscles contracting and metabolic reactions, not combustion.
These metabolic processes and chemical reactions simply generate too little heat energy to reach ignition temperatures.
Medical conditions with burning sensations
While it is not possible for the body to catch on fire, some medical conditions create sensations of burning or fire-like symptoms:
Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning discomfort in the chest or throat. The hydrochloric acid irritates the esophageal lining. While painful, the acid does not actually burn or ignite a fire in the esophagus.
Nerve pain or neuropathy
Nerve disorders or damage to nerves can cause burning sensations, even though no fire is present. This occurs because the nerves misfire pain signals to the brain. Diabetic neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and shingles all involve nerve pain that feels like burning.
Heat intolerance
Some people suffer from conditions that make them intolerant to heat. Feeling overheated or being out in the sun too long can cause flushing, headaches, and a burning sensation. However, their body temperature remains in the normal range and does not actually ignite.
Can sparks happen in the body?
Sparks require metals, friction, or electrical sources to occur. The body contains no internal metals that could strike together to produce sparks. Muscle movements and friction do not generate sparks either. Nerve signals are electrical, but very low voltage – millions of times lower than needed to create a visible spark.
Static electricity?
Static electricity can cause mild sparks when there is friction between materials. But the body does not build up charge differences large enough to create static sparks. The small electrical signals within and between cells are far too low voltage to be felt or seen.
Spontaneous human combustion
Spontaneous human combustion (SHC) is a controversial phenomenon where a person is thought to suddenly burst into flames due to some internal chemical reaction, without any external ignition source. While reports of SHC have occurred over centuries, most scientists reject that people can actually spontaneously combust. There are no proven cases that confirm bodies can ignite without an external spark or heat source.
Possible explanations
Reported cases of spontaneous combustion likely had an external source of ignition that was overlooked or could not be identified later:
- Candles, cigarettes, or fires close to the victim may have ignited their clothes or surroundings.
- Electrical faults or malfunctioning equipment may have emitted sparks.
- Static electricity buildup on clothing during dry conditions can create sparks.
Other proposed explanations involve slow smoldering fires that burn high-fat tissues over several hours, accelerated by wicks from clothing that channel melted fats through the body. However, most cases can be attributed to external ignition sources.
Fat burns inside the body
It is possible for fat deposits inside the body to burn, but only when exposed to an external heat source. Doctors may cauterize fat tissues during surgery by applying a heated surgical tool or laser. The heat causes the fat cells to liquefy and burn. But this requires direct contact with a high temperature heat source. Body fat cannot spontaneously ignite on its own.
Fat embolism syndrome
Fat embolism syndrome occurs when fractured bones release fat droplets into the bloodstream. While traveling through the circulation, these fat emboli can become lodged in the lungs and cause respiratory distress. This can feel like a shortness of breath and burning in the chest. But again, there is no actual combustion occurring.
Electrical injuries and lightning strikes
Contact with external sources of high voltage electricity can cause painful burning injuries both on the skin and inside the body. Lightning strikes also generate massive electrical currents that can literally cook flesh and organs. However, electricity does not ignite fires internally as it passes through. The injuries are from rapid, extreme heating of tissues by the electrical current itself.
Key points
- Electricity does not start fires inside the body, only burns tissues directly.
- Lightning strikes can boil blood and rupture cells, but is not starting internal fires.
- The heart and nervous system can be damaged, disrupting signals.
Frictional heat wounds
In very rare cases, friction between surfaces in the body can generate localized heat. If tissues rub vigorously enough against bones or other structures, some burning can occur. Examples include:
- Torn knee meniscus cartilage burning against the femur.
- Rapidly beating heart against the pericardial sac.
But this frictional heat does not spread through the body or sustain any lasting combustion reactions. It only causes mild heating and superficial burns to the affected areas.
Chemical and thermal burns
Exposure to some chemicals or extreme cold can damage tissues and create a burning feeling. But again, no fire reactions are occurring.
Examples
- Acid burns – Corrosive acids can degrade skin, mouth, and airway tissues.
- Chili pepper capsaicin – Activates nerve pain receptors.
- Dry ice or liquid nitrogen – Can freeze and burns the skin.
The irritation and destruction of cells and nerve endings provoke pain signals interpreted by the brain as burning, even though no combustion is taking place.
Gastrointestinal conditions
Several GI issues involve sensations of burning in the abdomen, even without actual fire present:
Acid reflux or GERD
Stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning feeling. The acid irritates the lining but does not actually burn it.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining causes a burning pain, especially when empty.
Peptic ulcers
Ulcers occur when stomach acid erodes the lining of the stomach or duodenum. They cause a burning pain worse with hunger.
Celiac disease
Inflammation from gluten exposure can cause burning abdominal discomfort after eating.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic inflammation leads to burning pain in the upper abdomen that can radiate to the back.
So while many gastrointestinal conditions feel like burning fire in the belly, they do not involve any actual flames or combustion. The discomfort is from irritation, erosion, and inflammation of the GI organs.
Table summarizing conditions with burning sensations
| Condition | Cause | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn | Stomach acid backing up into esophagus | Chest or throat |
| Nerve pain | Damage or dysfunction of nerves | Along nerve paths – arms, legs, head, etc. |
| Heat intolerance | Inability to tolerate or dissipate heat | Generalized or whole body |
| Fat embolism | Fat globules released into blood vessels | Lungs and chest |
| Frictional heat | Rubbing and friction between tissues | Joints – knee, shoulder, hip |
| Chemical burns | Corrosive acids or extreme cold | Mouth, throat, skin |
| GERD/reflux | Stomach acid backing up | Chest and throat |
| Gastritis | Stomach lining inflammation | Upper abdomen |
| Peptic ulcer | Erosion of stomach/intestine lining | Upper abdomen |
| Pancreatitis | Pancreas inflammation | Upper abdomen, back |
Conclusion
While concerning, a sensation of burning does not mean an actual fire has started inside the body. The human body contains no fuels or ignition sources to sustain combustion. However, medical conditions involving irritated nerves, tissue damage, inflammation, or compromised heat regulation can feel like burning for psychological reasons. Being aware of the causes, locations, and appropriate treatments can help manage these symptoms. But rest assured, our inner anatomy will not spontaneously burst into flames.