portfire

(ˈpɔːtˌfaɪə)

(Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (formerly) a slow-burning fuse used for firing rockets and fireworks and, in mining, for igniting explosives

[C17: from French porte-feu, from porter to carry + feu fire]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

References in periodicals archive ?

Alfie Burke, a four-year-old from Little Stanney, had the "time of his life" when he was invited to tourEllesmere PortFire Station.

Ellesmere Port firefighters make dream come true for poorly boy; Alfie Burke, from Little Stanney, has special needs and neurofibromatosis

When Preble queried Somers about the length of time he needed to escape, concerned that the portfire and the long cord of hemp and cotton would burn too long, the young officer quietly responded, "I ask for no portfire." Somers gave himself eleven minutes to escape.

Remembering Richard Somers: naval martyrdom in the Tripolitan War

Containing 18 BIG fireworks this set is about 20 minutes of top class entertainment and comes complete with firing tubes and portfires. A superb balance of noise and colour and a decent selection of single ignition boxes so you can enjoy longer displays.