Fearful tower block residents are demanding action after bin fires on consecutive nights saw smoke flood their corridors.
An alleged arsonist is believed to have started the fires at Cruddas Park House in Newcastle on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Billy Steele - who lives on the 18th floor with wife Mandy and foster children Billy and Dean - claims fires at the base of the bin chute have been a regular occurrence for months.
The latest instances caused smoke to seep in under his front door, and Billy believes the bin fires are an "accident waiting to happen".
Billy, 63, said: "It's been going on for ages. It started last year – it's got to be at least three or four times a week.
“The smoke is the dangerous part. When it gets to our height, it is much stronger.
"It blows out from the chute and makes its way into corridors and under doors. You can see it lying in the air and taste it in your mouth it's that bad.
“It's an accident waiting to happen and there's nothing being done.
"Every time my two kids hear the sirens, they run to the windows and go white with fear."
No-one was injured in the incidents, but the spate of bin fires has agitated Cruddas Park House residents.
Fire safety in tower blocks has come under heavy scrutiny since the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy which claimed the lives of 72 people.
Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) - who manage properties on behalf of Newcastle City Council such as Cruddas Park House - has moved to reassure residents in the tower block.
The firm confirmed all of its high-rise blocks passed industry standards for fire safety in May last year after the removal of decorative panelling on some properties.
David Langhorne, assets and development director for YHN, said: "We would like to reassure all our customers that fire safety is a high priority for YHN and we have lots of measures in place to protect them, including state-of-the-art thermal imaging cameras which detects small changes in temperature and notifies the fire service before a fire has a chance to take hold.
"We continue to work closely with colleagues at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Northumbria Police and will continue to keep in regular contact with our customers."
Northumbria Police confirmed inquiries into the arson attacks remains ongoing, and extra patrols have been deployed in the area as a result.
A force spokesperson said: "Thankfully nobody was injured but the incidents are being taken seriously by police and are being investigated by detectives in Central CID.
"Nobody has been arrested but inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.
"We are aware of concerns from residents about previous fires in the flats but many of these have not been reported to police.
"We are working with partners to prevent any further incidents and extra patrols have been deployed in the area."
A TWFRS spokesperson added: “We are aware of the bin fires at Cruddas Park House, and the subsequent concerns of residents.
"We are continuing to work with the housing provider and other local agencies to support them in addressing the issue.”
Anyone with information about the arsons or other deliberate fires in the flats are urged to call 101, quoting log 1095 11/05/19.
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