Why do towels spontaneously combust?

The fire at Richmond Football club isn't the first time towels have spontaneously combust in a gym, and it's not the first time it's happened in Richmond either.

Why might towels combust?

- They are used for drying off after a dip in a pool, wiping off massage oil or cleaning up spilt chemicals and liquids.

- The potentially flammable liquids sometimes stay in towel fibres even after being washed and dried several times, leading to a build up.

- These chemicals then cause an "exothermic reaction"

How does it happen?

- Heat builds up in large piles of towels from fungi, bacteria and outside sources (heater, sunlight).

- After being washed some liquids can self-heat during the drying process and, if temperatures get hot enough, may self-combust.

- Cotton or linen in towels removed from a dryer may become oxidised and can also contain a large amount of static.

- This static can cause a spark which can ignite chemicals which remain in the towels.

- Oxidisation is the process of adding oxygen to a compound, making it more susceptible to catching fire.

How to prevent it?

- Understand the causes of spontaneous combustion, take steps to avoid these scenarios, and have a fire plan.