Can a compost heap really spontaneously catch fire?

[LemonSunchine]

Reading in the news, a man saw his neighbour's compost heap catch fire and that lead to those 8 houses being burnt down yesterday. I'm wondering how easy it is for this to happen in extreme heat? Or do you think someone, somewhere was having a bbq & a spark floated away & caught it on fire? I know that compost heaps do get very warm inside. Are there steps we gardeners can take in future to prevent this happening again? Would it make any difference siting a compost heap in a shady spot?

Compost heaps can definitely combust spontaneously, especially if there is dry material. Keeping them damp is probably a good idea, and turning regularly.

Yes, definitely that can happen. Compost heaps produce a lot of heat.

Keep rotating the compost regularly so it doesn't get too hot.

There was a fire on my road on Monday which was spontaneous. Not compost but building materials. Scary.

Yes if not turned and left to dry out.

I've measured a grass pile getting to 64'c in a couple of days. It all turns to ash inside.

Yes.

When I was a teenager I had to call the fire brigade because a pile of grass cuttings beside a cricket pitch had started to smoulder.

I imagine it's the same as barns combusting.

Yes, one of my friends houses nearly caught fire from a compost heap. It was only because a passing neighbour saw flames licking up the side of the building that they were saved. By the time the fire brigade arrived the roof soffits were charred. Her husband had since joined the fire service as a retained fire-fighter.

Yes it can happen. I've occasionally found charred areas inside mine. Just like damp hay in barns, can spontaneously combust.