Myths

1. A hole burned through a floor automatically indicates the presence of a liquid accelerant. Holes in floors can be caused by ignitable liquids, burning embers, or thermal radiation.
   
   
2. Wood chars at rate of 1 inch/45 minutes at >1400F. One of the longest standing myths of all time. This is based on a controlled laboratory experiment burning pine in a test furnace. In an uncontrolled fire, the intensity and heat release may be more or less than in the laboratory test. Also, char rates vary with wood species, grain, moisture content, etc.
   
   
3. Spalling of concrete automatically indicates the presence of a liquid
   accelerant. One of the main causes of spalling is thermal shock, which may be caused by the water used to fight the fire.
   
   
4. Oily soot residues indicate the presence of a liquid accelerant. In fact, plastics (like vinyls, foams, etc) used in furniture construction can leave heavy oily residue on walls and windows. Plastics are made from hydrocarbon. Incomplete combustion of plastics will lead to oily sooting.

Need more myths. Old Wives Tales In Fire Investigation On the Way Out http://arson-codes.com/wivetail.htm