Volcano lava flows into Icelandic village, engulfing homes

Lava flowing from a volcano that erupted on Sunday near the Icelandic fishing port of Grindavik has engulfed at least three homes just hours after villagers were evacuated to safety, authorities said.

It was the North Atlantic nation's fifth volcanic eruption in under three years.

The most recent occurred just weeks ago on Dec. 18 in the same region, southwest of the capital Reykjavik.

At least three houses were engulfed in fire as glowing orange lava flowed into the edge of the town of Grindavik, live images broadcast by public television RUV showed.

Most of the 4,000-strong population of Grindavik had been evacuated as a precaution on November 11 after scientists said a magma dyke was shifting beneath them.

At the time, a series of small earthquakes — sometimes hundreds per day — had created large cracks in roads, homes and buildings.

 'Black day' 

On Sunday, a first eruption began at 8:00 am (0800 GMT) when a crack opened in the ground around 450 meters (500 yards) from the town.

At 1845 GMT, the Icelandic Metereological Office (IMO) said that fissure measured around 900 meters long, and crossed over the main road to Grindavik.

A second fissure then opened around midday on the edge of town, with that lava engulfing the homes. It measured around 100 meters by evening, IMO said.

Jets of orange lava and plumes of smoke spewed into the sky from the two cracks throughout the day.

The eruption knocked out electricity and hot and cold water in Grindavik, authorities said, but airline flights were not affected.

At a press conference, Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir called Sunday a "black day today for Grindavik and ... for all of Iceland. But the sun will come up...