 The thermal decomposition of mercury(II) fulminate can begin at temperatures as low as 100 °C, though it proceeds at a much higher rate with increasing temperature.A possible reaction for the decomposition of mercury(II) fulminate yields carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen gas, and a combination of relatively stable mercury salts.In the 1955 comedy film "Mister Roberts", Ensign Frank Pulver test fires a fulminate of mercury firecracker and blows up the ship's laundry spreading soap suds across three decks.