Rare WWII fire extinguisher from Bridlington showcased in museum exhibition
A fire extinguisher that withstood a bomb blast in Bridlington during World War II has been placed in the spotlight by a North Yorkshire Museum.
The Sanspray fire extinguisher is now on show at Eden Camp, the modern military museum near Malton.
The item was originally located at a family barbers, Sampson’s Gent’s Hairdressers, on Hilderthorpe Road – a family business with a history stretching back over 100 years.
The extinguisher survived a bomb that hit the road outside and levelled the shop while a customer remained sitting in the barber’s chair.
In the aftermath of the damage, the family wrapped the extinguisher, along with ornaments, decorations, and other items from the hairdressers, using that week’s newspapers, and stored them in a cupboard under the stairs.
The item remained hidden among World War One field mail and family records for over 60 years, until they were rediscovered by the family while clearing the house in 2004.
An Eden Camp spokesperson said: “This deceptively simple object – a paper and card canister filled with sand – tells a remarkable story of civilian courage.
"The Sanspray fire extinguisher was designed to combat the incendiary bombs that threatened homes and communities across Britain during the Second World War, and this particular example carries its own fascinating local history, with direct connections to the area surrounding Eden Camp.
“Still bearing its original writing and markings, the extinguisher is a rare survivor – a reminder of the quiet heroism that formed the backbone of Home Front resilience during one of the darkest periods in British history.”
Summer O'Brien, collection and engagement manager at Eden Camp, added: “Objects like this remind us that heroism during World War Two wasn’t confined to the front line. Ordinary people showed extraordinary courage in the most terrifying moments, and this piece helps us tell those stories with the respect they deserve.
“This extinguisher has been in the donor’s family for decades, tucked away with other memories from the past. It is a “time capsule piece” that will pay tribute to their family’s history.”
History enthusiasts can find out more about the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens in Hut 4, and discover more remarkable artefacts and explore the extensive collection of interactive World War II exhibits at Britain's last remaining former Prisoner of War camp.