PAA: Fabric Softeners & Flammability

PAA: Fabric Softeners & Flammability

Dying in a “ball of fire” is a horrific way to go.  But that, at least according to the coroner’s report, is just what happened to an unfortunate  lady  in  Quebec. We’re  not  talking  about  some  weird  spontaneous  combustion  or  some  sort  of  dastardly criminals  who  set  fire  to  people.  Well, actually, there is a criminal of sorts involved.  Liquid fabric softener!  The lady in question was wearing a terry cloth bathrobe that ignited when a cigarette was dropped on it.  The fire spread so quickly that she was unable to discard the garment and perished in what probably really did amount to a “ball of fire.”  So what does the fabric softener have to do with it?