A firefighter turned his hand to delivering a baby after helping tackle a huge fire in Ponders End this morning.

Ross McLaren from Euston fire station came to the aid of a couple who were on their way to have a baby at North Middlesex University Hospital in Sterling Way, Edmonton

Due to the traffic tailbacks caused by the fire, the couple's car was stuck in High Street.

Mr McLaren and colleague Richie Hall had helped deliver him, and the baby boy was taken to the hospital by London Ambulance Services.

Roads have reopened but traffic remains heavy after the huge fire gutted Vadi restaurant and estate agents.

More than 70 firefighters battled the blaze in Hertford Road for six and a half hours until it was under control at approximately 8am this morning.

Twelve people living above the restaurant managed to escape before fire crews arrived at the scene, but flats have been destroyed.

Southbury Road is now reopened fully, but Hertford Road, A1010, between Ponders End High Street and Nags Head Road junctions remains closed as fire crews clear the site.

The 121, 191, 279, 307, 313, 349, 377, 491 and N279 bus routes are all still affected and diversions have been put into place.

Jenny Williams, 67, of Millmarsh Lane in Brimsdown said it took her an hour and a half to get to Hertford Road where she had doctor’s appointment.

She said: “It would usually take me ten minutes max to get here for my appointment but the traffic has been horrendous. Now I have arrived I was told that it has been cancelled."