55 Spontaneous Human Combustion: Mystery or Myth?

After Nat receives a tip off about a near 100-year-old case of spontaneous human combustion in Biggleswade she confronts an issue which terrified her growing up. Nat uncovers the history behind this mysterious fire from 1935. She delves into the history of spontaneous human combustion as a belief going back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Charles Dickens plays a part in it’s popularisation it seems. Nat also speaks with two firefighters, one retired and the other, Phil an active member of Potton’s Community Fire Station just a few miles outside Biggleswade. The firefighters' messages may be comforting but Potton fire station also has some strange haunting tales to tell us. With a quick detour into some quicksand and a terrifying story from a listener relating to the Gannel Crake, it’s a jam packed episode. Thank you to our anonymous retired firefighter and to Phil Prout and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for your time and expertise. Check out this link for fire safety advice: https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/safety-advice?child=fire-safety-home Also check out the show blog for more information, photographs and links: https://weirdinthewade.blog/ Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Show theme, and spontaneous human combustion theme for this episode by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices