A burst cooling pipe is believed to be the cause.

BBC News Travel

West Midlands Railway warns of delays and cancellations to its services running between Lichfield and Four Oaks.

"Nothing could be done to save" a man who died in what firefighters called an "explosion" at a metals plant, West Midlands Ambulance Service says.

The man, thought to be in his 30s, died at the scene.

Paramedics were called to Timet UK Ltd, on Witton Industrial Estate in Birmingham at about 02:50.

Timet UK's website, external say it is "leading the industry in mill and melted products, supplying nearly one-fifth of the world's titanium".

BBC News Travel

A signalling fault is causing delays to rail services through Birmingham New Street station, says National Rail.

The disruption is expected to last until at least 10:00.

A man has died in an "explosion" at a metals plant in Birmingham, the fire service says.

About 30 fire fighters were called to Timet UK, Holford Road, Witton, at about 02:40, and had to use dry powder because of the nature of the material on fire.

The fire service says the incident has been described as an "explosion" and involved the "fracture of coolant pipes".

The injured man, believed to be in his late 30s, died at the scene. His family has been informed.

There are 220 homes still without power in the West Midlands, says Western Power Distribution.

It says engineers are currently working on power cuts in Herefordshire but earlier problems in Wolverhampton and Coventry have been resolved.

Image source, PA

Stoke-on-Trent, external, Herefordshire, Worcester, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Rugby councils have joined Coventry in suspending all bin collections today.

Residents in Stratford District are being told to put their bins out as normal, but road conditions may prevent access to some areas.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

Good morning. I'm in the BBC Birmingham newsroom bringing you more photos of the West Midlands covered in snow.

You've been busy making snowmen, igloos and enjoying the cold weather if you're not at work. I'll be bringing you some of the best photos we've been received throughout the day (warning -we've been sent a lot of great pics!)

Thanks to Jack Bywater who took this photo yesterday overlooking Shrewsbury.

Image source, Jack Bywater

A great pic by Alan, taken in Stourbridge this morning as the sun was rising.

Sleds at the ready in Herefordshire - this was shared with us on Twitter.

Image source, @RemainingKind

Keep sharing your photos with us - email, tweet @BBCMTD, external or send them to us via Facebook., external

Lengthy baggage delays have been reported by passengers at Birmingham Airport, which the site put down to the severe weather.

Among those waiting last night was Andrew Brizell. He took to Twitter to say there was no staff to handle bags - and he was still waiting three hours later. He estimated there were hundreds of people left hanging around.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: "We've experienced some operational issues due to the freezing conditions overnight which has unfortunately led to baggage delays. We're extremely sorry for this but stress that passenger and staff safety is our priority so please bear with us during these challenging conditions."

They added the situation was fine this morning.

Here's an explainer from Sandwell Council about why gritted roads might still be a bit slippy.

So now you know... that's a lovely conversation piece. Or icebreaker.

Councils have been gritting the roads across the West Midlands.

Coventry City Council says it's dropped 200 tonnes of salt over night.

Image source, Wolverhampton Council

Key pedestrian routes have also been treated, but local authorities are warning drivers and walkers to take extra care in the icy conditions.

BBC News Travel

A safety inspection on a train between Rugby and Milton Keynes is causing delays on Virgin Trains services to London Euston.

Due to the severe weather conditions all bin collections in Coventry have been suspended, the city council says.

There are 45 schools closed in the city too.

An update on the relatively smooth running of the tram network that we reported earlier...

There is now a reduced service between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Flights from Birmingham Airport may be delayed as staff treat apparatus and parts of the site hit by ice.

Travellers are being advised to check the airport's arrivals and departures page for the latest information., external

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

These schools in East Staffordshire have confirmed they will be closed today:

• ALL SAINTS CE(VC) FIRST SCHOOL, CHURCH LEIGH
• LOXLEY HALL SCHOOL, LOXLEY, UTTOXETER
• ST MODWEN'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, BURTON

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

After a cold start, with severe frost, it should remain dry but cloud is moving in later this afternoon, with highs of just 1C (34F).

Here's an early look at the public transport picture in our urban areas...

Trains first... Birmingham New Street is reporting, external it expects services to run as scheduled, although it advises passengers to check ahead.

On the roads, Buses operated by National Express in Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry, external don't appear to be too troubled. "Services have started as normal this morning for most routes," it says.

Things are slightly different for Arriva services in the Cannock, Lichfield and Stafford areas of Staffordshire. Service delays and alterations are expected., external

On the Metro network, external, things seem to be running normally between Wolverhampton and Birmingham, but passengers are advised to take care when boarding and leave extra time for their journey.

Remember, all information could change.

Hundreds of schools and academies across the West Midlands are closed for a second consecutive day due the extreme winter weather.

Image source, Alex Avery

More than 200 schools in Shropshire , externaland Telford, external are listed as shut today, with more than 60 in Herefordshire , externaland Worcestershire, external.

There are also closures listed in Stoke-on-Trent, external, Staffordshire,, externalWolverhampton, external, and Sandwell, external, along with about 60 in Warwickshire, external.

Twenty or so schools remain closed in Coventry, while Birmingham City Council says it's left the decision up to individual schools.

That's the classrooms rounded up, then. We'll let you know about rail, roads and buses throughout the morning.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Just two schools in East Staffordshire have confirmed they will be closed today.

They are:

• ALL SAINTS CE(VC) FIRST SCHOOL, CHURCH LEIGH
• LOXLEY HALL SCHOOL, LOXLEY, UTTOXETER