Counter-terror police are investigating whether Russia had any involvement after a suspicious package caught fire at a DHL warehouse in the West Midlands.

A police spokesperson confirmed that “a package at the location caught alight” and it was “dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time”.

They added: “Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

“As part of our enquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe.”

No one was injured and the blaze was extinguished by the local fire brigade during the incident in Minworth, Birmingham, on 22 July, officers said.

Sky News understands that part of the police’s investigation is whether Russia had any involvement in the incident.

No arrests have been made.

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It comes as authorities in Germany investigate several fires thought to have been caused by incendiary devices hidden inside parcels at a warehouse in Leipzig earlier this year.

Officials warned businesses in August that “dangerous parcels” might be in circulation.

On Monday, Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, told a parliamentary committee that a plane crash had only narrowly been averted when an air freight parcel caught fire.

The prosecutor general’s office in the country declined to comment on a possible link to Russia.

A spokesperson for DHL said: “DHL Express Europe is taking risk mitigation actions to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing strengthened security measures across the European countries as a reaction to ongoing investigations by authorities from several countries.”

Fifteen UK aid charities are launching a humanitarian appeal to address the “overwhelming” need in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

The charities make up the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is raising urgent funds for the millions in the region requiring food, water, shelter and medical care after fleeing their homes in search of safety.

The government has said it will match the first £10m of donations from the public.

Appeals to support the DEC’s work will be broadcast on Sky, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on Thursday evening, while BBC radio appeals will be broadcast throughout the day.

The DEC is “monitoring the evolving situation” in Israel and several charities in the organisation are “ready to expand their response to include Israel if significant unmet humanitarian needs are identified”.

Middle East latest updates

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: “Millions of people, including many thousands of children, are dealing with almost unimaginable trauma.

“Many have been displaced multiple times and have no homes to return to. Now food and medical care is scarce and families face devastating choices to survive.

“DEC member charities are responding right now in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank, providing lifesaving food, water, shelter and medicine – this humanitarian support is a vital lifeline for millions of people in overwhelming need of assistance.

“But our member charities urgently need more funds to meet the huge levels of need. We are asking people to please donate now to save lives.”

Read more:
‘Life was beautiful’: How Gaza has changed in last year
Timeline of events in year of war in Middle East

Meanwhile, development minister Anneliese Dodds said the suffering of civilians affected by the conflict is “intolerable”.

She said: “Humanitarian support is urgently needed for the most vulnerable people. Charities play a crucial role in providing help to those most affected, and need your support.

“That is why we are matching public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to provide urgent humanitarian assistance up to £10m.

“This will be used to provide life-saving aid including medical supplies, shelter and clean water to those who need it most.”

If you want to support people in the region, there are further details of how you can do so at dec.org.uk

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.

The singer was in Argentina when he was found dead by police.

How did Payne die?

Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.

He is said to have suffered “extremely serious injuries”.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.

He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel in response to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Tributes as Payne found dead at hotel – follow latest

Payne’s social media post hours before death

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the last few hours, and in one video he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

It was not clear when the videos were filmed, but were posted hours before his death.

Why was Payne in Argentina?

Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

He was seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.