Police have launched a murder probe after a man died following a "deliberate" house fire in the early hours of the morning. "

Emergency services were called to Saxons Way, in Highters Heath, Birmingham at around 1.10am today (Fri).

The victim, aged in his 30s, was found seriously injured and rushed to hospital for treatment but died a short time later.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Our investigation is at an early stage as we work to establish exactly what happened, but at this stage we believe the fire was started deliberately."

"Officers remain at the scene, and we would urge anyone with concerns or information to speak to us."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to a fire on Saxons Way in Highters Heath, Birmingham at 1.08am, this morning, and sent two ambulance, two paramedic officers, our Hazardous Area Response Team and a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic to the scene. "

"On arrival crews found a man in a critical condition and immediately began administering advanced life support which continued whilst the patient was conveyed to hospital under emergency driving conditions."

Anyone with information or footage is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 174 of September 19.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.