A pushchair and other items on a staircase at a Birmingham tower block were set alight.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Eight people, including two children, were rescued while 14 people were treated after breathing in smoke at James House.

A number of people managed to get out of the 13-storey building without the need for help, according to the fire service, which has stated it appeared the fire was started deliberately.

West Midlands Police said it was understood the fire started in a communal area or stairwell on the 10th floor. It was quickly extinguished and did not spread to any of the flats.

Shropshire Star

Here are some of the stories on the Shropshire Star website today:

• A long-running planning battle over permission for a major chicken farm looks set to be settled with the application expected to be approved, external
• 'Strategic' sandbag storage being considered in flood response, external
• Inquest opened into death of pensioner found near level crossing, external

Businesses are considering it may be cheaper to pay staff not to work, city MP Jack Brereton says.

An image has been released of a man who police want to speak to following an assault.

The victim, in his 50s, was celebrating a friend's birthday at Minworth Social Club in Robinsons Way, Sutton Coldfield when he was attacked, suffering facial injuries and briefly being knocked unconscious just before 23:30 on 23 October.

West Midlands Police said it wanted to hear from anyone who saw what happened.

It also wants to hear from anyone who was at the venue and recognises the man pictured.

Image source, West Midlands Police

A derelict signal box near Stoke-on-Trent station could be restored and turned into a cafe bar.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A Stafford charity which has supported armed forces members and their families for a century has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

Image source, Paul Milgate-Scarrott

The Royal British Legion's Stafford Branch was formed in 1921, just a few months after the national charity came into being to support those affected by World War One.

The branch's work has now been commemorated with an honour given to those who give eminent services to the borough.

The Freedom Scroll was presented to Stafford branch chairman George Wright by mayor Tony Nixon at the start of the borough council's full meeting on Tuesday.

Reverend John Davies, Stafford Branch chaplain, who spoke on behalf of the group at the presentation, said: "In granting the branch the freedom of this borough you are recognising the work undertaken by former members, current members and indeed future members, because the need for the support our Royal British Legion gives to the Armed Forces community does not diminish - it grows."

A pioneer of the Black Country's famous orange chips, Major Spencer, has died.

Tributes have been paid to the man who set up Major's fish and chip shop in Bilston in 1975, which is now run by his son Royston.

Mr Spencer said he was "overwhelmed" by the outpouring from the local community and said his father "would be amazed at the impact that he had on so many lives".

He said on Facebook: "Hopefully I'll be back frying next week to provide you all with fish and chips he would be proud of."

BBC Midlands Today

Rail passengers frustrated by delays and cancellations can attend a drop-in event with transport bosses.

West Midlands Railway is holding the session at Worcester Foregate Street station from 16.30 GMT.

Passengers have experienced cancellations on the line between Worcester and Birmingham and the operator said it was training 120 new drivers to deal with shortages, but that disruption could last into the new year.

A largely dry and fine day with some sunshine. Feeling a touch cooler. Highs of 3C to 6C (37F to 43F).

The evening will start largely dry with mostly clear skies. Some isolated showers are possible in places. It will turn wet and cloudy later in the night as a band of heavy rain will move in from the west. Lows of 1C to 4C (34F to 39F).

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

Tyreeq Bakinson scores the only goal of the game as Bristol City beat play-off hopefuls Stoke City at Ashton Gate.

The fire which broke out on the 10th floor of a block of flats is thought to have been started deliberately.

Cristinel Osolos' widow Anamaria Osolos said he had been a 'wonderful man'.

Police responded to a report of a man thought to be in possession of a firearm.

Lucy Ward's sister, Patricia, said it is such a relief to have her in a nearby hospital.

That's all from our live coverage today.

We'll be back from 08:00 with more news, sport, travel and weather updates.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

As we head into the weekend, things to look out for are strong winds, Friday night into Saturday, gusts of around 50-60mph adding a wind chill.

This, coupled with our paltry temperatures of around 4-5C (39-41F) on that day, means it really is going to feel quite cold.

We could even get some wintry flurries on Thursday and Friday too.

The northerly wind will introduce the colder air once the cold front has gone through tonight and the next feature is low pressure which will bring in those strong winds for Saturday.

• Check the full forecast where you are

The family of Baljinder Kaur, 32, appeal for anyone with information to contact police.

Campaigners have been demonstrating for nearly a year about emissions from the site.

A planning application to make a camp on a former nurseries permanent was rejected in August 2020.