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Firefighter delivers baby at the scene of Ponders End fire Fireman delivers baby at scene of Ponders End fire
(about 2 hours later)
A firefighter delivered a baby boy when a woman went into labour near the scene of a blaze in north London. A firefighter delivered a baby when a woman went into labour near the scene of a blaze in north London.
The woman and her partner were on their way to hospital when they got stuck in traffic near the fire in Ponders End on Wednesday morning. Ewelina Zimnicka and husband Jaroslaw were on their way to hospital when they got stuck in traffic in Ponders End in the early hours of Wednesday.
An ambulance was called but before it arrived firefighter Ross McLaren delivered the child in the back of the couple's car. An ambulance was called but before paramedics arrived fireman Ross McLaren delivered the boy in the back of the couple's car.
The mother and the baby were said to be doing well before going to hospital. Mrs Zimnicka said she was surprised her son Antoni arrived so quickly.
High Street was cordoned off as the fire was tackled, leading to heavy traffic in the area. "When I went into labour at home I thought I had a lot of time as my first baby's labour had taken a long time. But then the contractions started coming quicker and I told my husband we had better go," she said.
Mr McLaren said when he arrived to help, the child's head was already visible. "We set off in the car but we got stuck in traffic almost straight away because of a fire. Both ends of the road were sealed off and there were fire engines all around us. My husband rushed out of the car and told police we needed help.
"The fire brigade put a barrier around us and helped me and, just as the baby was born, the ambulance crew arrived in time to cut the cord."
She added: "I was so surprised how quickly the baby arrived. He was healthy and he cried almost straight away. The firemen were excellent, I can't thank them and the ambulance crew enough."
Mr McLaren said when he arrived to help, the infant's head was already visible.
One Born Every MinuteOne Born Every Minute
He was helped by colleague Richard Hall.He was helped by colleague Richard Hall.
Once the boy was born, the firefighters kept him warm until the ambulance arrived to take he and his mother to North Middlesex Hospital.
Amanda Salmon, of London Ambulance Service, said: "Mum was holding the baby when I arrived. The cord hadn't been cut yet so I did that."Amanda Salmon, of London Ambulance Service, said: "Mum was holding the baby when I arrived. The cord hadn't been cut yet so I did that."
Mr McLaren, who has been a firefighter for 15 years, said he had no first aid training but his wife watched the TV programme One Born Every Minute.Mr McLaren, who has been a firefighter for 15 years, said he had no first aid training but his wife watched the TV programme One Born Every Minute.
"It has definitely been one of the highlights of my career and it's not something I ever expected that I would do in my life," he said."It has definitely been one of the highlights of my career and it's not something I ever expected that I would do in my life," he said.
"Someone said to me the other day that as firefighters we usually enter people's lives at their worst moments so being there at such a joyful occasion makes a nice change." "Someone said to me the other day that as firefighters we usually enter people's lives at their worst moments, so being there at such a joyful occasion makes a nice change."
After their midwife duties the firefighters returned to the blaze to help damp it down.
About 70 firefighters were at the scene of the blaze, which began at 01:30 BST. It took the brigade about seven hours to bring it under control.
Twelve people escaped from the fire, which began in a basement and affected neighbouring businesses and four flats.
Residents had been urged to keep their windows shut due to the large amount of smoke.