Residents told of their shock after a fatal house fire sparked a murder probe.
A man in his 30s died after being rushed to hospital following a blaze at an address in Saxons Way, Highters Heath, just before 1.10am today, September 19.
West Midlands Police said the fire was thought to have been started deliberately.
READ MORE: Birmingham murder probe after ‘deliberate’ house fire – updates
A shopkeeper told BirminghamLive: “We were closed when this happened but I saw the police tape this morning and couldn’t believe it. It has shocked all of us.”
A resident said: “This is a horrendous. Birmingham is getting worse and worse.”
Another resident, a man in his 50s, said: “My heart goes out to the man’s family.”
While another shopkeeper said: “Emergency services were everywhere. It’s truly shocking. I hope they catch whoever did this.”
BirminghamLive understands the victim’s family visited the scene of the incident today.
Flowers were left with police and they were due to be laid nearer to the scene when the cordon was reduced.
Police said: “We’ve launched a murder investigation following a house fire in Birmingham overnight.
“We were called alongside fire and ambulance colleagues the property on Saxons Way, Highters Heath, shortly before 1.10am today.
“A man, in his 30s, was found seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment but tragically died a short time later. 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.”
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log 174 of September 19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.