Few alleged paranormal phenomena are as disturbing, mysterious, or controversial as Spontaneous Human Combustion, often abbreviated to SHC. The idea that a person could suddenly burst into flames without any obvious external source of ignition has fascinated and horrified people for centuries.

Reports of mysterious glowing spheres, floating lights, and strange luminous objects have existed for centuries. Long before photography was invented, people from many cultures described unexplained balls of light appearing in graveyards, battlefields, forests, ancient ruins, and supposedly haunted locations. Folklore from Europe often referred to ghost lights or spirit lights, while in parts of Asia and South America, similar glowing manifestations were associated with wande