Cause and Ignition
- A substance with a relatively low ignition temperature (hay, straw, peat, etc.) begins to release heat. This may occur in several ways, usually oxidation by a little moisture and air, bacterial fermentation generates heat.
- The heat is unable to escape (hay, straw, peat, etc. are good thermal insulators), and the temperature of the material rises.
- The temperature of the material rises above its ignition point (even though much of the bacteria are destroyed by ignition temperatures).
- Combustion begins if sufficient oxidizer, such as oxygen, and fuel are present to maintain the reaction into thermal run-away.
Read more about this topic: Spontaneous Combustion