Spontaneous Combustion of Oiled Shavings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 11, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 10.

Spontaneous Combustion of Oiled Shavings

SHAVINGS from the oiled wood used in the manufacture of planes at an Eastern factory were recently put into a barrel, and twenty-four hours later were found to be almost on fire, their temperature being over 300° Fahr. Before six o’clock the shavings were charred and smoking a few inches beneath the surface. This is a practical demonstration of spontaneous combustion, and illustrates how many mysterious and destructive fires may have originated. Oiled rags and waste operate in the same way.—Selected.