Calif. burning rocks victim tells of strange horror

reply to post by pavil

It seems that once they dried off and they came in full contact with the air, things began to change with the rocks. That would be something that WP would do. Would WP be inert in saltwater?

Yes. Thats how it works as a weapon. "Willy Pete" (WP) spontaneously ignites in direct contact with the oxygen in the air. Thats why the weapon is so insidious. Once it is burning and lands on your skin, it keeps burning because of the O2 in the moisture on and in your skin. The only way to stop the reaction is to cut out the phosphorous and the flesh it is sinking (burning) into. If WP was on the rocks and it was underwater there would not be enough oxygen in the water to initiate a reaction. Once dry however... the O2 in the air set it off. That has to be what it was.

They use to ship white or red Phosphorous in alcohol in sealed containers so it remained stable. I don't know how they do it now.

Originally posted by Common Good
"Frantically the couple tried to bat the flames out. Then Rob yelled for Lyn to open her pants and he pulled as hard as he could to get them off. "

Sounds like WP to me. Combusting in air and then hard to put out!

reply to post by intrptr


The Military is moving more to Red Phosphorus because it doesn't ignite when it contacts oxygen, making it safe for transport.

Red Phosphorus becomes White Phosphorus when burning though, so it is just as effective.

Additional tests shed no light on mystery of 'burning rocks'

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 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.

The phosphate is not naturally occurring and the rocks somehow became coated with phosphorus. Now the investigation gets turned over to San Diego County and The Marine's. We will have to see where it goes from here. I doubt there will be anything definitive anytime soon. I hope they don't just go and close the area to public access.