Brandstifter

Arsonist

Today my parents' Christmas tree finally had to bite the dust. Being a little pyromaniac I decided that the most elegant way to get rid of the damn thing is to torch it. I also had a general interest in how much time one would have once the Christmas tree catches fire.

The setup: one (meanwhile rather dry) 220 centimetres tall fir (formerly used as a Christmas tree); one cast iron Christmas tree stand; matches; a lot of surrounding free space; one chronograph; one camera close at hand.

The results: the tree doesn't catch fire as easily as one might think; once a tiny bit ignites you have less than 25 seconds until the tree is completely burnt to ashes; the flames surge up more than 5 metres; the heat generation is immens; extinguishing the fire can be confidently discarded; the smoke emission definitely violates the Kyoto Protocol.

The verdict: by the time you realise something smells off your roof will be on fire.

So the blip shows the burning (former) Christmas tree 5 (!!!) seconds after the initial ignition. Good luck if that happens inside!

We don't need no water let the motherfucker burn. Burn motherfucker! Burn!