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Councils are urging people to think before disposing of vapes, batteries and electrical devices following a spate of waste fires across the region.
A recent fire at a waste transfer station in Hendon, Sunderland, has sparked fresh warnings about the dangers of putting lithium batteries in household bins.
Sunderland City Council said: "The fire was caused by a lithium battery, likely from an electrical item such as a vape, mobile phone, power bank or electric toothbrush.
"When batteries are damaged or crushed, they can heat up and ignite very quickly.
"This is especially dangerous around large amounts of combustible material, such as household waste and recycling."
Fortunately, there were no injuries or building damage, and the fire was quickly extinguished.
The council stressed that the outcome could have been much worse if staff had not acted promptly.
The warning follows a similar incident in Shildon, County Durham, where a bin lorry caught fire after vapes and batteries ignited in the vehicle.
No one was injured, but officials say such incidents are becoming more common.
A fire also broke out at the North Shields Waste Transfer Station in North Tyneside early on August 26.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended to extinguish the blaze.
North Tyneside Council later released footage showing how rapidly the fire started and spread, as part of a campaign urging residents to dispose of batteries correctly.
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Councillor Willie Samuel, cabinet member for environmental sustainability at North Tyneside Council, said: "This fire serves as a stark reminder that something as small as a battery can have serious consequences when it ends up in the wrong place."
Household batteries can be recycled at collection points in supermarkets, high street shops, and community venues.
Large retailers that sell electrical products will also accept small electrical items for recycling free of charge, even if a replacement is not being purchased.