M Power U Australia

20 seconds                                           30 seconds                                        90 seconds

The aim of the experiment was to show how a cigarette can ignite a smouldering fire and re-create a standard house fire. The cushion was from our couch in the lounge room (Yes, it is purple so don't laugh too much - this is serious). You can see how the cigarette burns the cushion as it smoulders down after being discarded. The main aim was to see the smouldering of the cushion but the results surprised us. As the cigarette burned it dropped hot ash into the hole which produced a similar effect to smouldering. The hot ash allowed the cushion to heat up for period of approximately a minute and a half. The increased temperature allowed the results you will see below.

100 seconds                                    105 seconds                                     110 seconds

The smouldering didn't go to plan as the cushion turned out to made from a fire retardant foam. Certainly a good idea to use a foam like that but not a good idea to use a synthetic cover. I gave the ignition a small kick start with a lighter and the cushion ignited easily. Since the temperature of the foam was increased the fire took hold quickly and within seconds the synthetic cover was well alight.

115 seconds                                    120 seconds                                    125 seconds

In the space of about 15 seconds the cushion was burning openly and pouring out a lot of black toxic smoke from the burning foam and synthetic cover. Look closely at the last picture and you will see the hot gases and smoke carrying the flame. The pre-heating of the material allowed this fire to spread and take hold approximately 6-8 times faster than when we lit the other cushion with just a naked flame from a lighter. The second lighting was quite passive compared to this fire.

The fire was terminated at 130 seconds due to toxic smoke and fumes as well as the behaviour of the fire itself.

Results: This experiment certainly highlights the danger of discarding lit cigarettes.

The manufacturer's use of the flame retardant foam was a nice thought but the synthetic cover allowed this fire to ignite and spread at a fast rate anyway.

The volume of toxic smoke and heat clearly demonstrated how a fire of this type can render the occupants of a room or building unconscious in a short period of time.

******Do not try this at home. This was performed under controlled conditions with a trained fire fighter on hand******