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Dozens of homes have been evacuated after a water main burst and flooded streets in north London.

Twelve fire engines and about 80 firefighters were called to Queen's Drive in Finsbury Park after waters rose to ankle level this morning.

According to London Fire Brigade, the flooding affected an area measuring 600m by 200m and people have been moved from their homes.

LFB said at least 61 homes were affected, while Thames Waters put the estimate at 100-150 properties, which it said had suffered "external or internal water ingress".

People in eight homes have been rehoused by the company's loss adjusters, Thames Water said.

Thames Water has sent specialist engineers to the scene. The flow of water was stopped at 1.30pm.

Hackney Council has opened a rest centre for anyone whose home is affected.

Steve Stubbs, who lives in Queen's Drive, said: "My water didn't work when I went to grab a drink of water so I asked my housemates whether they had any issues - one of housemates left moments before it happened, it seemed.

"Then I checked Twitter and saw one tweet about a flood on Queen's Drive. I thought, 'Oh, that's where we are.' I opened the balcony door and saw this river flowing down the road.

"The school looks okay as it's on slightly higher ground, but residents around the area on ground floors are having issues, I think.

"We are dry up on the fourth floor."

His neighbour, Karim Traboulsi, said: "My first thought was, 'I probably won't be able to make it to work.'

"Now we're a bit worried about our elderly neighbour in the basement flat.

"[Water] isn't yet coming through. It's leaking into the front garden, but hasn't made it to the stairs or the building foundations. The water level is not rising, as far as I can tell, but it's still flowing very quick."

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We're really sorry to any customers affected by our burst main this morning.

"Our top priority now, having stopped the water escaping and restored supplies back to normal, is to support those impacted by the flooding."

Firefighters are using specialist equipment where necessary and escorting people from their homes.

Johnny Briggs said he had watched a young boy push his bike through the waters before being told to turn back by a firefighter.

He said: "He was really desperate to get through, and really not happy the firefighter turned him away for his own safety.

"His school shoes were drenched.

"My wife and I posted letters in the letterbox on the street, walked our dog, and by the time we came back half an hour later the road was a river."

Matthew Christian, who lives next to Manor House Underground station, said: "I didn't realise it was so serious and was just annoyed when I turned on the taps and there was no water but then thought I'd check Thames Water Twitter to see if there was a reported issue as the website said there was nothing in the area.

"Then when I sent a text to Thames Water I saw other people were doing the same so went out to see what was happening. It's really shocking to see that amount of water flooding the streets with such power that it's ripping up the road and rushing down the street into people's front gardens."

Thames Water is spending more than £1m a day to reduce leaks on its network, much of which is more than 100 years old.

A full investigation will take place into the leak as a "matter of course", a spokesman said.