The Canneto di Caronia Fires

Beginning in 2004, the small Sicilian village of Canneto di Caronia experienced a bizarre phenomenon: household items spontaneously burst into flames. Electrical appliances, furniture, and everyday objects caught fire without apparent cause, forcing residents to evacuate.

The Fires

Fires erupted in multiple homes simultaneously. Unplugged appliances ignited. Mattresses, chairs, and household items burst into flames. The fires occurred even after the electrical grid was shut down.

The Investigation

Italian authorities launched a massive investigation. Electrical engineers, scientists, and fire investigators examined the village. The national electric company disconnected all power. The fires continued.

The Theories

Proposed explanations included volcanic gases, military experiments, and electromagnetic anomalies. A government task force considered everything from aliens to satanic activity. None of the theories were proven.

The Residents

Residents were evacuated for months. Some refused to return. Those who did reported continuing phenomena, though less frequent. The village gained international notoriety.

Assessment

The Canneto fires remain unexplained. The scale of the investigation and the failure to find any conventional cause make this one of the most baffling modern poltergeist cases. Something caused those fires, but science has not identified it.