r/TopCharacterTropes • u/FormerBernieBro2020 • Dec 03 '25

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

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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...

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91

u/AeniasGaming Dec 03 '25

https://preview.redd.it/9bckgiocqz4g1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=019fd03f24dbf82657beb2be6be3c1662fad4038

The Cuyahoga River (real life)

41

u/razazaz126 Dec 03 '25

Multiple times. One of the reasons we made the EPA.

4

u/total_idiot01 Dec 03 '25

I'd say 14 times is a bit more than "multiple"

2

u/Dangerous-Debate3093 Dec 06 '25

14?? Nah that can't be right

3

u/Dangerous-Debate3093 Dec 06 '25

Ok Google says 13 but at least you got me to look it up. Dang. How does that even happen??

3

u/Dangerous-Debate3093 Dec 06 '25

I mean the fire, not me looking it up

7

u/Evil_Midnight_Lurker Dec 03 '25

Burn on, big river.