Fire bars

pl. ( Mach.) In locomotive engines, wedge-shaped iron bars fitted to the fire-box with the thick side uppermost, to support the fire; the ends rest on a frame; they are inclined inward, with an air space between each, to promote combustion, and are joined at one end, and supported by a rod at the other, so that the rod being withdrawn, the bars fall, and the fire-box is emptied. Fire'-bavin, n . ( Naval .) A bundle of brushwood used in fire-ships to kindle the enemy's sails, rigging, . Fire'-blast, n. A disease of trees, plants, ., whereby they present an appearance as of having been scorched by fire.