09-27-2014, 08:45 AM
The auto-ignition temperature of olive oil is 435 degrees Celsius. If you soaked cloth in olive oil and deliberately set fire to it. it would burn very well, but this sort of thing happening accidentally from an oil lamp accident would be unlikely. I think most building fires in ancient times were caused by cooking, with burning embers getting lodged in dry wood.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!