Extinguisher grenades
Glass extinguishers or fire grenades, like the Harden Star
(pictured right) were sold in the early 1900s. In the event of
a fire, the grenade was to be thrown into the burning room, where
it would (hopefully) break and allow the chemical it contained to
escape and extinguish the fire. It is possible that many contained
a liquid which would vaporise when released from the glass sphere
and could, perhaps, extinguish a small fire. However, some people
were concerned that some of the liquids used would produce deadly,
toxic vapours!
The Firex Extinguisher was made in Herne Bay,
Kent.