Until then, they were fairly boring things, with most people understanding how they worked only because their neighborhood streetlights went on when they sensed darkness, smoke detectors sounded alarms and fire trucks beeped because motion sensors understood when they were backing up.

FORBES: How Sensor Networks Add to Context

Human creativity, it seems, knows no bounds when it comes to inventing new ways to build a petroleum-based fire inside an enclosed metal space and then convert the resulting energy pulse into forward motion.

FORBES: Connect

It's far more vulnerable to antiaircraft fire and can't communicate images directly to pilots, but Predator can send back real-time motion video to commanders.

FORBES: We See You

Frame-by-frame analysis of the motion of individual soot particles then reveals how quickly gases within the fire are moving, and allows fire behaviour to be scrutinised in detail.

ECONOMIST: Next, the fire forecast

From there, you'll be able to use all of your iDevice's sensors as triggers, from motion through to facial recognition and even GPS. The app doesn't just fire the shutter, either -- it also gives you control over the focus and flash.

ENGADGET: Triggertrap: nine ways to activate your DSLR with an iOS device, choose one

Knowsley's Labour MP George Howarth tabled a Commons Early Day Motion last year claiming the complex posed "a considerable risk" to the public, workforce and fire service following a series of accidents and fires.

BBC: Knowsley Sonae chipboard factory closure