The occupant of an eighth floor flat had to be taken to hospital yesterday after a fire broke out.

Image source, Google

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service sent six crews to the fire in Derwent House, on Champions Way in Kidderminster, which broke out at about 00:40.

The man had to be rescued and was taken to hospital after suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

The fire service said the blaze was accidental, caused by combustibles too close to the cooker hob.

There is currently no concern for the flooding of properties across Shropshire, the Environment Agency says.

Heavy rainfall in the last few days has meant flood alerts are in place for the rivers Severn and Teme and flood barriers are up in Frankwell.

However there is no cause for concern in Ironbridge, which was badly hit during Storm Dennis earlier this year, and flood barriers remain down.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

Get ready for some wet and blustery conditions across the region this morning.

It’s going to feel quite mild for this time of year and expect some showers across the day.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

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Live updates have now finished for the West Midlands this week.

We'll be back with you on Monday with the usual mix of news, weather, travel and sport.

Simon Bramhall branded his initials on two patients' livers during operations in Birmingham.

Allen Cook
BBC News

"Urgent clarity" is being sought by Birmingham City Council over the government's plan for Covid testing schemes in secondary schools in England.

With term ending before Christmas, head teachers have been told they have to set up testing for pupils next term, meaning staff working through Christmas to be ready.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the idea was to get pupils back safely when they returned to school.

Birmingham City Council Leader Ian Ward said he was disappointed the news was announced just before schools broke up.

"This is a significant task to do safety and requires plans to be put in place over the holiday period," he said.

He told a regional briefing that he had asked the government for clarity on several areas including if it would include special schools, private and academy schools as well as the financial support available to them.