Fire Chief Eric Smith said both mother and baby are "doing well."

Paramedics in Gloucester on Sunday delivered a baby in an ambulance en route to the hospital, the city's fire chief said in a statement.

Members of the Gloucester Fire Department responded to a home at around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday after receiving a report of a woman in labor, the statement said. Upon arrival, paramedics assessed the expectant mother and prepared to take her to a local hospital.

Delivery became "imminent" on the way to the hospital. Two paramedics on board, Sean Ellis and Abigail Meadowcroft, sprung into action and delivered a "healthy baby girl" in the back of the ambulance at 2:16 a.m., according to the statement.

Paramedics took the baby and her mother to Beverly Hospital for further care. Chief Eric Smith congratulated the family on their new addition, and thanked Ellis and Meadowcroft for their work "despite challenging circumstances."

"This ambulance company did outstanding work, and had the honor of providing medical care for a positive moment in a family's life," Smith said. "Not all EMS calls have such happy endings. We are proud to have had the opportunity to help this Gloucester family in need."