Lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii advances towards residential area
The lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano is seen near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii.Reuters

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has always inspired a sense of fear as well as admiration. However, the fear for the volcanic eruption has now slightly outweighed the fondness for the mysterious caverns, which were also brought about by these very deadly eruptions.

The volcanic eruption of Kilauea began on 27 June and the molten lava has been advancing towards the residential town of Pahoa at Big Island in Hawaii. Since the morning of 27 October, the molten lava has advanced about 90 yards, according to an official statement.

"The flow front is currently moving in a northeast direction and has entered a private residential property," the statement read.

Occupants of the residential area were advised to evacuate due to the gush of molten lava that has already burned large areas of land and overrun a Buddhist cemetery on its way towards a house on its path towards Pahoa, Reuters reported.

It risks becoming the first house in the residential area to be consumed by the lava, which according to reports, is advancing at a speed of five yards per hour.

The Pahoa Village Road between Apa'a Street and Post Office Road is said to remain closed to everyone except the residents, who also have been warned against bringing unauthorised people to the blocked area. Pahoa village, a former sugar plantation in Big Island, is now a rural residential area that has a population of 800 people.

An endangered elementary school in the path of the lava flow will also be closed from Wednesday, with temporary schools functioning in its place from Thursday, officials said.

Although the smoke conditions are reportedly moderate as of now, residents of affected area were advised to remain indoors and be wary of respiratory problems.

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano has been erupting from its Pu'u O'o vent since 1983 and the last house consumed by the lava was at Kalapana in Big Island in 2012.