Urgent warning dumped vapes are causing surge in fires

Vapes illegally dumped in bins have triggered a surge in .

have revealed the number of call-outs to incidents caused by the batteries inside disposable ones have doubled over a year. A survey by insurers shows vapers who should take used ones back to the shop or put them in special bins at council recycling centres instead just throw them in public waste bins or their household rubbish.

The lithium-ion batteries inside can explode and start fires when crushed at waste tips, putting lives at risk. One huge blaze in Preston last summer destroyed 40 tons of ­recycling. Lancashire County Council alone has dealt with 38 -related fires in the last 12 months, 137% up on the previous year.

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Research by public sector insurers Zurich Municipal found found 38% of vapers were unaware of how to get rid of them safely. Disposable vape retailers also have a legal responsibility to take back devices if users hand them in.

Alix Bedford, risk expert at Zurich Municipal, said: “Vape related fires are on the rise and at a rapid pace. It’s frightening to think that such a small device many people carry in their pocket could cause a fire that can last for hours and leave utter devastation in its wake.’’