Sleman, Indonesia—The mystery of the "self-igniting" fires in a Kasuran Hamlet residence has been solved. After weeks of monitoring, researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) concluded that the fire spots were not supernatural, but a chemical reaction. The primary culprit is hydrogen gas produced by rotting poultry waste.

The homeowner first noticed a strange hotspot on May 23. By the time the research team arrived, they documented over 70 individual fire occurrences inside the house. The hotspots appeared in bedrooms, bathrooms, and even under floorboards. It was a bizarre and dangerous phenomenon that left the family in constant fear.

The UGM team, led by Professor Alva Edy Tontowi, performed rigorous laboratory testing on wastewater samples collected from the site. They discovered high concentrations of hydrogen gas, which can ignite spontaneously under the right conditions. This gas is a byproduct of the fermentation of bones, feathers, and organic material from a nearby poultry slaughtering operation.

The researchers believe that the gas travels through subsurface channels, eventually seeping into the house through floor cracks or drain pipes. When the gas reaches a specific concentration and reacts with oxygen, it ignites. The team even suspects that phosphine gas may have acted as an additional catalyst for the ignition.

This discovery has completely changed the approach to the safety of the household. The team has advised the family to maximize ventilation to prevent the accumulation of gas and to remove all flammable materials from the vicinity. They have also suggested treating the soil with alkaline solutions to halt the bacterial process.

The incident has drawn national attention due to its unusual nature. While rare, the generation of combustible gases from household wastewater is a known scientific risk in areas with high organic contamination. The family is currently working with local authorities to remediate the land and prevent any further risk of ignition.

The house remains under observation. The research team continues to conduct shallow excavations to measure the extent of the underground gas pockets. For the residents, the scientific explanation has provided some relief, even if the cleanup process remains daunting.

Government agencies are now using the case to study the broader risks of improper waste management near residential zones. The UGM findings will serve as a foundational study for future safety protocols in rural areas where poultry slaughtering is common. The family hopes to return to a safe environment soon.