The loading stress field of  goaf has great influence on the spontaneous combustion of residual coal, but there are few papers and research works on it. The distribution characteristics of the loading stress field in goaf and its coupling relation with other fields are analyzed. A mathematical model of the loading stress field is established, by which numerical simulation is performed to study the effects of loading stress field on the seepage field in the goaf, the partition of three zones in goaf and the location of spontaneous combustion. Simulation results show that loading stress field has a non-ignorable effect on the spontaneous combustion of residual coal. And these results are consistent with the conclusions of theoretical analysis and in-situ observation.