On the night of August 23, 1953, a couple in St. John’s, Newfoundland had an unsettling encounter while parked on the outskirts of the city. What began as a quiet evening quickly turned alarming when their car lost power, flames surrounded them, and an unusual object hovered directly overhead, resulting in lost time and confusion.

In the years that followed, lingering effects and unanswered questions persisted, prompting an investigation into their experience. Comparable cases, strange warnings, and similar reports from other locations have continued to raise interest and debate about what truly happened that night.

Key Takeaways

An unexplained event in St. John's led to a significant investigation and ongoing mystery.
The incident shares similarities with other mysterious encounters.
Long-term effects and unusual warnings have kept this case relevant in UFO research.

Context Around the St. John's Encounter

Individuals Involved

Two people were present during the incident: James Burn, age 41, and his fiancée. They were together in a car at the time of the event. Both witnesses experienced unusual sensations and visual phenomena, though only James retained memories of the incident later.

Summary Table

Witness Description Aftereffects James Burn 41-year-old male Physical sensations, partial memory retention, reports of itchy neck, multiple sightings of unusual lights after the event Fiancée Female Initial visual experience, loss of memory, no subsequent recollection of the event

After the event, James's fiancée had no memory of the encounter and later moved to Toronto. When James reconnected with her years later, she could not recall any details about the incident.

Date, Location, and Conditions

The event occurred on the night of August 23, 1953, in a small field located on the outskirts of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The sky was lit by a bright moon, allowing clear visibility of the area, including the treetops around the field.

The couple had parked in the field after driving off the main road. The occurrence began around 12:30 a.m. and continued until nearly 2:00 a.m., with James noticing more unexplained time loss when he arrived home at 4:00 a.m. The atmosphere was calm prior to the incident, with both individuals sitting in the car listening to the radio.

Timeline of August 23, 1953 Events

Early Evening Arrival at the Desolate Area

James and his fiancée arrived at a small field on the outskirts of St. John's on a clear, moonlit night. They parked their car, taking advantage of the moonlight to observe the surrounding trees. Inside the car, they spent time talking and listening to the radio.

Emergence of Unusual Phenomena

Sometime after midnight, a drop in temperature prompted James to start the engine and turn on the heater. Without warning, both the engine and radio ceased functioning. As James tried in vain to restart the car, his fiancée suddenly screamed, directing his attention to a curious shadow moving on the ground in front of the vehicle.

Sighting of the Circular Structure

Looking upward, James witnessed a large, black, circular form hovering directly above their car. The object appeared to be about 45 feet across with a rounded underside. Vivid, shifting flames of multiple colors surrounded its perimeter, reminiscent of neon lighting. The flames flickered between 4 and 10 feet in length, forming a ring of light and color around the car.

Estimated Diameter Flame Length Flame Appearance Height Above Car 45 feet 4–10 feet Multicolored, pulsating 8 feet

Physical and Mental Impact

Concerned about possible danger, James noticed a tingling sensation affecting his hands and the base of his neck. The interior of the car grew intensely bright, almost as if it were daytime. His fiancée became unresponsive, appearing to enter a trance-like condition with her head tilted back and mouth open. Flames outside prevented any clear view beyond the car, which now seemed encircled tightly by fire.

Unaccounted Time and Loss of Awareness

James’s memory of the next sequence of events is incomplete. When awareness returned, he noted the object now hovering about 20 feet away, positioned higher in the air and motionless for a moment. The object then moved in a zigzagging fashion and quickly vanished toward the north. James heard a clear message in his mind, instructing him not to speak of the incident, accompanied by a warning of a future return. The car started by itself. On checking his watch, he realized it was nearly 2:00 a.m.—a significant time gap he could not explain. Upon reaching home, the clock read 4:00 a.m. Both he and his fiancée exhibited confusion, with his fiancée later showing no recollection of the night’s events.

Outcomes and Continuing Impact

Lingering Bodily Reactions

After the event, James experienced persistent itchiness at the back of his neck, a sensation that did not subside for an extended period. This physical discomfort was particularly noticeable and accompanied by tingling feelings in his hands during the incident itself. No physical evidence or damage was found on his car, despite the intense light and apparent flames surrounding the vehicle.

Shifts in Personal Connections

There were significant changes in James's relationship with his fiancée following the event. The couple never married, and his fiancée eventually relocated to Toronto where she started a new life. When they met again years later, she had no recollection of the night’s events, despite James’s clear memories. This lack of shared memory contributed to lasting distance between them.

Table: Relationship Changes

Aspect Before Incident After Incident Relationship Status Engaged Separated Communication Close Contact Limited/None Shared Memories Present Absent (for one)

Subsequent Sightings and Experiences

James reported seeing unusual lights near his home on several occasions after the incident. These sightings occurred sporadically over the following years, adding to his sense of unease. He also recalled receiving a mental message warning him not to discuss the experience, which left a lasting psychological impression. The memory lapse and time discrepancies he noticed continued to trouble him, reinforcing the belief that the event had lasting effects beyond the immediate encounter.

Examination and Media Sharing

Mutual UFO Network's Role

The case was revisited nearly twenty-four years after the original incident, with James reaching out to an organization focused on unexplained aerial phenomena. Members of this group conducted a detailed inquiry into his account, recording his memories and the sequence of events. The investigation highlighted gaps in recollection and physical symptoms experienced by James after the encounter.

Recording in Atlantic Anomaly Reports

This particular event was later included in a compilation of sightings and encounters within the region's maritime context. The documentation provided a timeline, witness descriptions, and unusual physical or psychological effects. The report did not note visible damage to the vehicle but drew attention to time discrepancies and the sensations described by the main witness.

Event Date: August 23, 1953
Location: Outskirts of St. John's, Newfoundland
Key Elements:
- Sudden vehicle malfunction
- Circular object above car
- Colored flames surrounding the vehicle
- Unexplained physical sensations

Details Description Time of Incident Approximately 12:30 a.m.–2:00 a.m. Witnesses James and his fiancée Physical Evidence No external marks on car, itchy sensation Memory Gaps Yes; unclear sequence post-incident

Witness Hesitancy and Societal Response

The individuals involved expressed significant reluctance to share their experience publicly, primarily due to concerns about disbelief or ridicule. James mentioned being instructed—telepathically—not to disclose details, which seemed to influence his hesitancy. His fiancée also exhibited complete loss of memory concerning the incident, adding to the complexity of the case's public perception.

Social stigma often discouraged individuals from reporting or discussing such encounters.
Memory lapses experienced by witnesses contributed to uncertainty and skepticism.
Warnings received by the witness played a role in limiting the spread of information.

The hesitancy to discuss the event and the lack of collective memory among the witnesses impacted the way this incident was interpreted both by investigators and the general public.

Comparative Review With Similar Incidents

Felix Sto Encounter

Both the St. John's incident and the Felix Sto event involved close proximity to strange flying objects, abrupt interruptions to vehicle function, and reports of fire or fiery elements. In the Felix Sto case, a witness described an entity engulfed in flames and experienced a powerful urge to leave his vehicle, thought to be induced telepathically. This mirrors the St. John's witnesses, who were surrounded by colored flames and subsequently experienced lost time and confusion. In both cases:

Physical Effects: Prickling sensations, perceived warmth, and altered consciousness were present.
Memory Loss: Witnesses struggled to recall all events after the fiery encounter.
Telepathic Communication: Both included unspoken warnings or messages from the unknown entities.
Containment Themes: Flames or fiery displays appeared to confine the witnesses during the event.

Aspect St. John's Event Felix Sto Event Flames Present Yes, multicolored, ring Yes, entity engulfed Telepathic Message Yes Yes Consciousness Effects Trance, lost time Amnesia after encounter Entity Observed No Yes, fiery being

Gr and Stevens Incident

The St. John's encounter shares parallels with the Gr and Stevens matter, particularly around the area of mental messaging and thematic warnings about disclosure. In both accounts, witnesses were directly instructed not to speak of their experiences and were told of potential future encounters. Notable similarities and differences include:

Warnings: Ominous notifications that the entities "would return" were reported in both cases.
Memory Discrepancies: As with James and his fiance, recall of the event differed significantly between witnesses in related accounts.
Post-incident Effects: Prolonged psychological and physical symptoms followed, including confusion and persistent sensations.

Key Points of Comparison:

The method of warning (mental versus verbal),
The suggestion of repeated visitations,
Variability in witness memory and recognition.

This comparison highlights recurring features across cases involving unusual aerial events, particularly the role of fire-like barriers, communication through non-traditional means, and selectiveness in what details witnesses retain or share.

Explanations and Perspectives

Interpretations of the Event

Speculation about the purpose of the occurrence has centered on several ideas. Some view the incident as a potential abduction, based on the long period of missing time and the lack of memory from one witness. The warning received suggests those responsible wanted secrecy, possibly to prevent details from spreading.

Use of Flames and Methods of Restriction

The colored flames surrounding the car have prompted theories about their function. One idea is that the flames acted as a barrier, preventing escape and allowing the unknown force to control the situation. A possible purpose of the light and flame could have been to induce a trance-like state in the occupants—an effect observed in both individuals—as a means to facilitate further action.

A comparison table of observed details:

Element Observed Potential Function Pulsating colored flames Containment, trance induction Car disabled Prevented escape Sudden light Triggered altered consciousness

Effects and Meaning of Mental Messaging

The report of a voice directly in the mind of one witness raises questions about telepathic messaging. The content of the message—an explicit warning not to disclose the incident, and a mention of a future visit—mirrors patterns in other reports where similar communication was mentioned.

Key implications:

The message's delivery suggests technology or ability beyond typical human communication.
Ominous warnings may be tactics to discourage witnesses from sharing information.
The lasting effect on the witness, including a persistent sensation and later sightings, highlights the ongoing impact of telepathic contact.

Encounters With the Mysterious Black-Suited Visitors

Unexplained Appearances and Behaviors

Reports often describe the so-called "black-suited visitors" as arriving after an individual claims to have witnessed or experienced something unusual. The appearance of these individuals is typically marked by formal black suits, a reserved demeanor, and sometimes a lack of conventional social cues. Their presence is frequently unexplained, with no clear origin or official identification.

Common features associated with these encounters include:

Sudden visits, sometimes within days of a sighting
Questioning about the individual’s experience
A tendency to discourage or intimidate witnesses from sharing their story

A few witnesses have noted that these visitors seem to have detailed knowledge of incidents, even when the events were not publicly discussed. This element adds to the unease and mystery surrounding these encounters.

Effects on Individuals Who Report Sightings

Witnesses often report psychological and emotional effects following an encounter with the black-suited figures. These may include heightened anxiety, reluctance to discuss the original sighting, and persistent feelings of being watched or monitored. In some cases, individuals experience memory lapses or confusion about the details of both their initial experience and the subsequent visit.

Observed Impacts:

Effect Description Anxiety and Nervousness Increased stress after the visit Reluctance to Speak Out Hesitation or refusal to recount their experience Memory Gaps Inability to recall parts of the encounter Perceived Surveillance Feeling of being observed after the visitation

The emotional aftermath can last for years, with some individuals choosing never to publicly revisit their experiences. The sense of intimidation or suppression is often cited as a key reason for remaining silent.

UFO Reported in Jessup, Pennsylvania

Account from Jessup High School Student

On a September night in 1970, a 16-year-old student named Frank Scaletti was returning home from a school football game in Jessup, Pennsylvania. As he walked, he observed an unusual illuminated object traversing the sky. The sighting occurred around 9:00 p.m., adding a layer of mystery to an otherwise routine evening.

Description of the Observed Craft

Scaletti described the object as follows:

Feature Appearance/Description Shape Dome-shaped, metallic disc Color Silver, glowing white Windows Rectangular, arranged around the dome Underside Features Three spheres with a flat circular area

The craft moved silently across the sky, disappearing beyond the surrounding treetops. Despite noting its strangeness, Scaletti did not investigate further.

The 1953 St. John's UFO Encounter: Unexplained Paranormal Visitation with Missing Time