Northumbrian Water have issued a warning to the public not to flush vapes down the toilet after 57 were found causing a blockage.
Described as “the first time we have seen something on this scale” the incident occurred in Darlington.
The form warned that “as well as causing blockages, vapes are also possible explosive devices and have the potential to be dangerous.”
It went on to state that “Thankfully though, with the hard work of our teams, they were able to be removed quickly and safely without environmental impact, and we are working to identify and educate those responsible.
We often see things in the sewers that shouldn’t really be there, so we would like to remind customers that only paper, pee and poo go down the loo.
As well as the strange things we have found in our network, our biggest cause of sewer blockages is still wipes, so please remember to Bin the Wipe in order to help our teams on the ground!”