A man from Lichfield aboard a Tube train on which there was an explosion this morning said he saw people with burns injuries.

Eyewitness Luke O'Connor also described "a strong smell" following the "loud explosion" on the District Line train to which emergency services were called at about 08:20.

Image source, Alex Littlefield

Mr O'Connor told BBC WM the train was pulling into Parsons Green station in Fulham.

He said: "[There was] a loud explosion... I use the expression sort of sulphuric acid, when you go into science lab at school, that type of smell.

"[There] appeared to be some injuries... sort of burning injuries by the look of it."

Mr O'Connor said Tube staff were "superb" and helped people off the train safely and as quickly as possible.

Birmingham Mail

Gang members are allegedly targeting schoolgirls as young as 13, external for rape and sexual exploitation in south Birmingham - with some of the attacks being filmed and shared.

BBC Midlands Today

Police commissioners are warning that the number of police officers working in the Midlands could be reduced by almost a hundred to fund a pay rise.

Image source, PA

It's estimated a total of 97 posts could go between the West Midlands, West Mercia and Warwickshire forces.

Earlier this week the government confirmed officers would get a 1% pay increase and a 1% bonus.

The Staffordshire force is considering using its reserves.

Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live

Three options for a link road connecting the M54 with the M6 and M6 Toll are going on show to the public today.

Traffic currently travels up A roads and Highways England says a link road would take about 22,000 vehicles a day off the A460 and relieve congestion through places such as Featherstone.

Image source, Highways England

It also says the link road would support economic growth in the area by making it more accessible.

Consultation on the three route options will continue until 13 October.

Police are urging people to hand in firearms, external.

The West Midlands force hopes its Gun Surrender project "will stop unused shotguns or antique firearms - often World War relics gathering dust in loft spaces - from potentially falling into the hands of criminals".

Police say people can hand in any firearm - including handguns, shotguns, rifles, BB guns, imitations, ammunition or antiques - without fear of being prosecuted for gun possession. Guns can be surrendered anonymously but the history of live weapons handed in will be checked for any evidence of criminal use.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The campaign allows people to surrender weapons at a police station or to request an officer to collect them.

It comes after a 34-year-old man was shot dead in Hockley, Birmingham, on Wednesday night.

The last West Midlands Police firearms surrender in July 2014 saw the seizure of 131 firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

BBC News Travel

Train services to Birmingham through Coventry are disrupted following an overnight fire at a factory in north-west London.

There are currently no services on London Midland and Southern between Milton Keynes Central and Euston.

Image source, London Fire

There are currently no direct trains to London Euston from Birmingham. Some Virgin trains are expected to run, but Network Rail says, external they will terminate before Euston.

Tickets are being accepted on Chiltern Railway services via Birmingham between Coventry and Reading.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

After a chilly start it will be a bright day with sunny spells with the chance of a few showers this afternoon.

Feeling cool for September with top temperatures of 16C (61F).

Good morning. We'll bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from across Birmingham and the Black Country until 18:00.

The 25-year-old from Sutton Coldfield hacked into the US Department of Defense system.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

The woman, 84, had four rings - including wedding and engagement rings - stolen after a fall.

A baby rhino has been born at West Midlands Safari Park, external.

The baby girl arrived on Friday after a 16-month pregnancy for her mum Keyah.

At just 30 hours old, the as-yet-unnamed calf weighed in at 11 stone (70kg).

She is the second rhino to be born at the Bewdley safari park in just 18 months.

Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

Millions of pounds is set to be spent on up to 12 new railway stations in the West Midlands including two serving the proposed HS2 line.

Also on the programme:

An area near Birmingham's Victoria Square [pictured above] was cordoned off, after an explosion and black smoke came from under the pavement.

Join me for BBC Midlands Today at 18:30 on BBC One.

Warwickshire sport director Ashley Giles [pictured below] says it's a chance to "go back and start again" after their relegation to Division Two of the County Championship was all but confirmed with defeat to champions-elect Essex.

Image source, Getty Images

They were beaten by an innings and 56 runs at Edgbaston after being bowled out for 112 in their second innings.

Express and Star

A teenage bus passenger was repeatedly stabbed in the head and body after his attacker asked him to pay his bus fare for him, external.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

We are forecast more showers overnight and that weather is set to continue tomorrow, with the odd bright spell at times.

BBC WM Sport

Aston Villa, external have been successful in their appeal to have Henri Lansbury's red card against Middlesbrough overturned.

The decision to rescind Lansbury's dismissal in Tuesday night's goalless draw means he is now available for Saturday's trip to Barnsley, which'll be live on BBC WM from 17:30.

Birmingham City Council says it will "continue to robustly defend the action" after a hearing at which the Unite union is bidding to block bin workers losing their jobs was rescheduled.

Image source, Getty Images

Unite was due to start its legal challenge in London on Thursday, but the High Court hearing was re-fixed for Monday because of time constraints on it taking place this week.

The union is seeking an interim injunction restraining the council from dismissing grade three "leading hands", pending a full legal challenge over the legality of the authority's actions.

A council spokesperson said: "We will continue to robustly defend the action so we can deliver a plan that is in the best interests of Birmingham’s citizens.

"In addition, we will continue to make every effort to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible so we can deliver on one of the key priorities for citizens – cleaner, greener streets."

The spokesperson said in view of the court date being changed, there had been a "voluntary adjustment of the redundancy exit date" from 1 October to 4 October, as an undertaking in recognition of the council wanting to ensure the legal process instigated by the union "does not adversely impact upon the Grade 3 Leading Hands" within the refuse collection service.

Police say they are "working non-stop" to find those responsible for the "shocking" crime.

BBC WM

Birmingham's old Steelhouse Lane lock-up has opened to visitors as part of Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces, external.

The grade II listed station, which operated for 125 years, has closed.