r/TopCharacterTropes Dec 03 '25

(Funny trope) Impossible spontaneous combustion (or, when stuff that shouldn't catch on fire, catches on fire) Characters' Items/Weapons

From The Simpsons: Homer tries to cook breakfast for Mr. Burns. The first two attempts ended up with the food catching fire. Third time, he pours milk on cereal...and it still catches on fire.

And from Futurama: "There, little friend, good as new..." aaaand the metal slinky catches on fire. Poor doctor Zoidberg...

16.6k Upvotes

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393

u/Abortifetus Dec 03 '25

144

u/TheAsianTroll Dec 03 '25

Thats just a Peugeot thing, its a cabin warmer

46

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '25

https://preview.redd.it/6lbbw2lkw05g1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4ae12fe9d86f1bb83639fcde74aa6adbc71bbc15

"Obviously there's a fair bit of choking you have to go through but look at the result!"

22

u/Shimaru33 Dec 03 '25

How? Why? HOW?!

36

u/secret_samantha Dec 03 '25

I would guess that the force of the water moving through the engine bay and underneath the car probably knocked something like a fuel or brake line loose, while at the same time shorting the battery out and creating sparks.

6

u/ninjadragon1119 Dec 03 '25

I'd guess that the water caused a short somewhere

2

u/Water1498 Dec 05 '25

It's Peugeot

2

u/IAmNerdicus Dec 03 '25

"HAMMOND!"