In 1910, The Pyrene Manufacturing Company created a small, portable fire extinguisher using the chemical known as carbon tetrachloride. The chemical was previously used as a solvent to dissolve fats and oils, but was found to create fire-smothering fumes when exposed to high temperatures. These new fire extinguishers, packaged in small vessels with hand pumps, were marketed for use in small spaces such as automobiles, aircrafts, and average homes.

While carbon tetrachloride is very effective when it comes to dousing fires, it created a toxic gas when combined with the high heat, and many deaths occurred when the extinguishers were used in confined, unventilated spaces. Additionally, the chemical was found to be incredibly toxic to the liver, and was suspected to have carcinogenic properties. Ultimately, the use of carbon tetrachloride in fire extinguishers was discontinued in 1970.