Mine fires are becoming a serious issue as the intensity of mining increases, especially in deep mines. Loose coal gob has a hidden ignition location and a high possibility of spontaneous combustion, which makes fire prevention difficult. Therefore, based on the theory of gas seepage and the characteristics of loose coal, a model of air leakage and spontaneous combustion in gob is established in this paper. Using working face #10414 in the Yangliu coal mine as an example, the relationship between the three spontaneous coal combustion (CSC) zones and the three stress zones is analyzed and verified by combining a FLAC3D simulation with field monitoring. In addition, the influence of advancing speed on the CSC is discussed, and suggestions for fire prevention are presented. The results show that the variation in the calorific value of the CSC with increasing degree of looseness of the residual coal in the gob forms an arch‐shape. There is a one‐to‐one relationship between the distribution of the three stress zones and the three CSC zones. In addition, as the advancing speed increases, the contact time between the loose coal body and the air decreases and the possibility of CSC decreases. This study provides a scientific basis for fire prevention and control in mines.