HONOLULU — Nearly 1,500 residents were ordered to evacuate after Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano erupted. The eruption sent molten lava to chew its way through forest land and bubble up on paved streets. Volcano officials said they couldn’t predict how long the eruption might last.
That prompted Gov. David Ige to declare a state of emergency in affected areas, activate the National Guard to help with evacuations and provide security to about 770 structures left empty when residents sought shelter.
There were no immediate reports of injuries but at least 100 people were in shelters Friday with many more evacuees believed to be staying with relatives and friends.
Authorities said new eruptions damaged at least two homes, KGMB-TV reports. They were damaged from lava creeping through the Puna district Leilani Estates subdivision. The Hawaii County Civil Defense said the third eruption occurred around 6:40 a.m. Friday on Kaupili Street.
Hawaii County officials said steam and lava poured out of a crack in Leilani Estates, which is near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
