The fireman's hose could become a thing of the past after scientists discovered the latest flame-fighting tool - an electric wand.Tests revealed that a bolt of high-powered electricity from hand-held wands is enough to extinguish a raging fire.
A single beam of electricity shot from the wand that opens a path through the flame could then allow firemen to run into a burning building and rescue people inside safety.
The incredible idea is based on a 200-year-old observation that electricity can affect the shape of flames, making flames bend, twist, turn, flicker, and even snuffing them out.Researchers even hope that 'electric sprinklers' that fire bursts of electricity from the ceiling could replace the present day water ones, causing much less damage.
Research leader Dr Ludovico Cademartiri from Harvard University said: 'Controlling fires is an enormously difficult challenge.
'Our research has shown that by applying large electric fields we can suppress flames very rapidly. We're very excited about the results of this relatively unexplored area of research.'
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