E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Uncredited / AP file
A photo released by the Orange County Fire Authority on May 17 shows Lin Hiner's cargo pants after beach rocks ignited in the pocket of her shorts. The San Clemente, Calif., woman suffered third-degree burns in the incident.
Additional testing by a California state laboratory has failed to unravel the mystery of the “burning rocks” that scorched a Southern California woman early this month after erupting into flames in her pocket.
Results of the tests by the state lab, released Thursday, confirmed initial testing by the Orange County Public Health Department that found elevated levels of phosphate on the rocks, but provided no explanation of its presence.
Chemistry experts have said they do not believe the phosphate was naturally occurring and have speculated that the rocks could have been coated with phosphorus, which can spontaneously ignite when exposed to oxygen.
The victim of the bizarre incident, Lyn Hiner, 43, suffered third-degree burns on May 12 when the rocks burst into flames while in the pocket of her shorts as she stood in the kitchen of her San Clemente, Calif., home, with her husband, Rob, and their children.
The kids had collected the rocks -- one smooth, orange-colored one and a smaller green one -- along with others earlier in the day at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach. Lyn Hiner told the Orange County Register afterward that she put the rocks in her shorts pocket because her daughters were in their swimsuits.
Related story:
Burning rocks victim tells of strange horror
At least four hours later as Hiner stood in the kitchen, two of the rocks ignited, burning her upper thigh and her hand as she attempted to beat out the flames. Rob Hiner suffered burns to his hands as he struggled to free his wife from the burning shorts.
The Orange County Public Health Department, which took the case because the Hiners live in the county, said Thursday that its involvement in the investigation is concluded.
“Since the land is owned by the United States Marine Corps, operated by State Park Rangers, and the rocks were located in the County of San Diego, any future inquiries on this matter should be directed to the appropriate authorities,” it said in a statement.
After some rocks spontaneously ignite in woman's pocket, burning her and damaging her home, the hunt is on to find the cause of this unusual incident. KNBC's Vikki Vargas reports.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- New tests shed no light on 'burning rocks' mystery
- Teen in Mexico due to ‘Leap Day’ error can return home
- EPA planes spying on ranchers? Lawmakers want answers
- Video: IRS mistakenly sends waitress $400K refund
- Video purportedly shows NYC student making out with his teacher
- Man interviews for job, ends up getting detained for 1975 murder
Leave a Comment:
In a few minutes the "It's a sign of God" theories will start trickling in.
Maybe that beach was the site of a secret chemical weapons test. *** conspiracy conspiracy***
Or maybe that beach is severely polluted...
Or someone illegally dumped chemicals.
This, AND the Florida zombie? It's a sign of Cthulhu ;)
A spell by an ornery witch next door?
Maybe a miscast curse one by an ex of Mr. Hiney, who, using a spellbook written in archaic English wanted his balls to catch fire but instead said something like "and may the Hiney stones erupt in flames"?
The beach at San Onofre is next to the San Onofre Nuclear Power plant that has recently had multiple problems. The feds are now investigating what is going on there. I don't know if there is any connection of the nuclear power plant to the "hot rocks" - but it is a good scenario for a B-rated Sci-Fi film...
Boy would i like to take tha pants off of her and screwthat whore!
+1 On journal's illegal dumping theory.
You think the likes of GE or Dow would ever admit to anything unless animals start dying, people started getting violently ill or their have their shorts burst into flame?
Google "Bhopal disaster" and see for yourselves how far these companies are willing to go to save a buck.
Ouch
Journal: You are more right than you know. This story will disappear in a few days.
Traces left by USO's.
In the mid-'70s a few friends and I at Makapuu Beach on the Island of Oahu discovered a rock like thing washed up on a rocky patch it was actually flaming, as the waves washed over it the flames were extinguished within seconds after the wave receeded it would re-ignite. We watched this for sometime it was the size of basketball, the lifeguards must have called someone (there were no mobile phones in those days remember) shortly a military truck pulled up some men in white suits got out with some type of container scooped it up got in the truck and dissappeared. The news made mention of it that night but the "authorities" denied that any such thing took place, and that was the end of that. I can assure you it did take place just like I told it....Kaneohe Navel Air Station is nearby. I assumed at the time it was a ball of napalm....but that was just my guess.
B-movie material, indeed:
First let me say that I am sorry for Mrs. Hiner's injuries. But, moving forward......
Wife: I'm on fire, I'm on fire! (pulling on her shorts)
Husband: I've got just the thing to put it out. (stripping her on the kitchen floor)
This story cuts a whole new take on one's concept of the "Burning Bush."
Dear God, sick perverts are gathering on this article like flies gathering on garbage.
As to the article, the rocks are evidently white phosphorous. Go do a bit of research on Fenians Fire. The military uses this stuff in many, many things. It is nasty. Coated in oil to keep out oxygen, once the oil is removed the phosphorous ignites on contact with air. The stuff has been used to start delayed fires.
It could very well have come from the base or else it is some really sick SOB acting out. Note that phosphorous flares contain...
Yank in Australia, that object sounds like a heck of a lot like phosphorous-based military ordinance. They've been in use for a long time, and are very nasty.
This occurrence sounds to me like chemicals spilled from something like that. Maybe some version where two different chemicals had to mix to set off the reaction.
Didn't an earlier article mention that this beach is near a military base, on a route where military planes sometimes pass over?
I've been burned a few times myself trying to get somebody's shorts off. lol
I don't know her....is she a liar, liar?
You couldn't write this stuff and expect anyone to call it anything but fiction.
A woman with the last name of Hiney had two rocks in her pocket which set her rear end ablaze. So hot was the rear end that it scorched the man trying to remove her clothing.
Now, written for all to see, is this story of Hiney rocks. Forever with the caution be that Hiney rocks will set you on fire. As she endures the long process of healing from the physical wounds, I suspect the emotional ones will last forever.
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
oy vey
Actually, it's the work of aliens.
But that is really bizarre.
Nah sees thru. If it were a sign from him they would have been in your pocket.
Seen this @!$%# on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Get ready for a rise of the Thuggee Cult.
More likely a "sign" of unexploded ordnance from the Marines.
Being that it is a Marine Corp beach, makes you suspect that maybe it is sometimes used for practice beach landings. Phosphorus is used in things like parachute flares and smoke grenades. "Willie Pete" is some nasty stuff if you get it on you, it burns very badly. I would suspect that it is coated with something initially to keep oxygen from getting to it. Maybe that flat white rock was actually part of a flare or grenade and when the coating rubbed off, it ignited. Not sure how they make these, but it seems like the phosphorus would need some king of protective coating to keep it stable until used. Maybe one of these devices failed to completely consume the contents leaving a piece laying on the ground. Rubbing around with another rock in a pocket could potentially cause it to be exposed and ignite.
I think the real tip off is that it is a beach belonging to the Marines. Don't see this being any kind of natural phenomena.
Since it says that it caused 3rd degree burns, I'd say that is likely right. Natural chemical reactions inadvertently caused by mixing two naturally-occurring minerals or by friction wouldn't cause near instant 3rd degree burns, but white phosphorus would almost as soon was whatever protective covering coating it was worn off and it mixed with the oxygen in the air.
Very odd. Elemental phosphorus does not exist in pure form in nature. Elemental phosphorus exposed to air will burn and would have burnt long before it was picked up. Phosphorus in a lab is kept in cool oil to shield it from air. I wonder if this could be some sort of meteor containing phosphorous which had burned during entry, but leaving enough of an oxide layer covering the remaining pure phosphorus. And when the lady put it in her pocket, the oxide layer got rubbed off and the phosphorus was exposed to air and ignnited. Just speculation.
The reason pure phosphorus does not exist in nature is because it is extremely reactionary. It must be surrounded by a shroud of oxygen blocking material. It is a lot like the Republican Party. It is so reactionary that a republican cannot exist in society unless it is surrounded by money and lies to keep the truth from causing it to explode.
Roadie, is that you again trying to look intelligent? LOL
heh, very nice.
Anyone who could bring politics into a story like this, is truly a D bag!!
wowow: possibly, but I found tex2c's post to contain mockage that is deliciously rude for some reason this afternoon...
That’s OK. Tex2c is just trying to have a little fun before they get trounced in the governor’s race in Wisconsin next week and having ObamaCare overturned in June. Tex2c deserves a little R&R before the next 159 days catches up with him.
closest thing iv herd to an explanation so far (Look at the big brian on Bob) lol
i thik it came from out of space
As the protective, oily, coating slowly weathered, the White Phosphorus would slowly react with oxygen, leaving an oxygen barrier of--(strangely enough)--oxides. It's not a very sturdy barrier, though. Abrasion with a pocket would wear it off and then the real reaction would occur. Happens with pyrophorics, all the time.
Nasty.
Ah.....USMC.
In past projects Ive worked on involving environmental remediation of DoD sites, the former/current bases and surrpounding properties are heavily contaminated with all types of compounds. This is usally a result of spent rounds/shells/ etc or from them simply dumping on their base.
The DoD is the biggest polluter in the US. These guys in the 50s and 60s would bury anything on base. Im talking quantities like 500 landmines, 100 gallons of rocket fuel, etc in an open pit and then backfill.
The rocks were likely exposed to the residual compounds present in the surface contamination and spontaneously combusted once the conditions were right. The Health Department will not touch that conclusion with a 10 foot pole.
Lady, if you're reading this, get yourself an environmental litigation attorney.
D Man,
You are exactly right !! I have had experience with Bioremediiation and people would be amazed at the number of chemicals bunkers alone, which exist throughout the united States.
I believe you, we have an USMC base in our county they have 2 superfund sights on base. We also have an old USAF base that was converted to a NAS in the mid 60's it was closed down in 1974 I believe. All kinds of bad stuff they find it's not even safe to drink the water around there.
Rocks found on beach near Marine base burst into flames. HMMMM? Making deals with the devil? Sounds biblical to me. LOL
Didn't Moses warn us about this?...ah.. Oh no, that was a burning bush! It's Bush's fault!
I thought the right wing ding-a-lings were going to try to blame this on Obama, after all, he is the President! Great, now that we have proof that it is Bush's fault, let's see HIS birth certificate.
My guess is that he was born in the bathroom in a failed attempt at abortion (after all he has failed at everything in life since)! OMG, does that make him eligible for the office in the eyes of the delusional again?
tex2c, go find a different blog to spew out your Marxist views. Better than that, go find a different country, maybe North Korea for starters.
Tex2c,
Come back next Tuesday and let's discuss the result of the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Don’t hide like you do after you have trash talked all week before the big game.
Did you just say goober? :P
He is monotonous. Comments go round and round in a monotonous loop.
Oh crap, wowow, tex2c spouted something Marxist? I heard about this kind of thing from my Gramma so sure am glad you were here to hold the line. That kind of $hit probably spreads like a prarie fire.
Only in the stupid.
I used to go to the beach and I'd seen people who painted rocks and left them in the water and were hinting on how weird they were to people and I think it was purple and green too. I think it is some sort of a trick people know where you paint rocks and put them in the ocean. These rocks didn't catch fire that I know of but that might of been what they were up to. It could be a science class thing some where and the colors are used too and they learn about it. I think high school or college kids put phosphorous on the rocks that they stole from school. They knew what would happen later out of the water and painted them a different color to trick people in collecting things on the beach and thinking they were special. These people may of stayed there and were hinting or had been about finding things on and in the water and about rocks. Makes you think of The Wizard of OZ movie with the horses, I'd almost think they will stalk this women and her family now for fun.
They were green and orange rocks and phosphorus is spelled wrong.
I doubt that this was some kind of sick prank. I don't believe it would be very easy to do either, seems like you would have to process it in an oxygen free environment. More likely this was some kind of Marine "oops" leaving some part of a particular piece of war gear on the beach.
This is not the kind of thing for pranks, see the photos: (Be prepared, it's nasty) www.google.com/search?q=phosphorus+burns&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8vvHT6zIBObe0QHvvfHODw&sqi=2&ved=0CGEQsAQ&biw=1092&bih=488
James: Phophorous is a good word - it just may not have been the word you meant. I agree with 1New Day that it is likely some type of military leavings. There is a lot of Marine Corps activity in the coastal area of Camp Pendleton (I drive by there very often).
I think you may need to lay down and rest for awhile.
spontaneous human combustion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_human_combustion
Perhaps she was lying about something at the time.
Maybe she put the roach in her pocket and just forgot...
Kind of reminds one of the "incendiary bats" of WWII. The bats were supposed to fly to and roost in the paper and timber framed buildings of Japan, causing havoc with the civilian fire departments. There's probably an explanation for the rocks, but if it were never given, I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe the DOD is going to drop these colored rocks over Afganistan to scorch the women out of their burkas, causing a moral dilemma the near east has never imagined.
Well if she wasn't before with the rocks in her pocket she was a "Smokin Hot Lady"
Ok...I can't help it....I need to comment on the writer's choice of words...read this to yourself a few times:
"Rob Hiner suffered burns to his hands as he struggled to free his wife from the burning shorts."
I mean no disrespect to the woman and her burns, just a lighthearted comment that Jay Leno might appreciate.
Gives new meaning to the term HOT ROCKS !!!
TEX2C, I guess you think marx had it right and jefferson had it wrong.
Tex2c has gone off to occupy Austin.
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone. "
Doo doo doo dah .... doo doo doo dah. Thanks, Rod.
Interesting to note, as well, is the proximity to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (if you've lived in San Diego County as I have, you'll recognize the big white domes near the beach). Just sayin'
Interesting to note, as well, is the proximity to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (the big white domes near the beach that you can't miss when driving along I-5).
LAME-- did she see bigfoot and the loch ness monster too?
Something had to put the energy into those rocks.
They were close to a military installation and to a nuke reactor.
Hmmmmm...........
They were the Sankara Stones and Indiana Jones used black magic so that this woman couldn't use them for evil.
Japan tried to burn America with balloons fixed with piro fire
devices during World War II. What a great way for terrorists to burn
America with colored rocks. Think about it?
Hmmm. Thought about it. And after a few seconds, I just started LMAO.
I'm guessing it was phosphorous from underwater naval flares. One of our dumbass roommates in college was smart enough to bring one of these that he found at the beach into the dorms. He said he was interested in harvesting out the contents. It was in a bucket and he called the local Navy office when it started making sizzling noises. We went out to grab a bite to eat and came back to a cordoned off dorm building with navy police and hazmat crews everywhere.
Whatever made the rocks combustive like that, it was really lucky her kids didn't have pockets to put the rocks in. Sorry the mom was injured, but lucky it wasn't one of the young kids.
Curiouser...and curiouser!
It was the heat she generated when she started to think of me in my speedo suit at the beach. I will not wear that again. It is too dangerous for the pretty ladies.
Just kidding, me in a speedo would scare the hell out of most people.