Residents of a Hawaiian village which is being threatened by a lava flow have begun leaving their homes.
The slow-moving lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano has been advancing on the town of Pahoa for weeks.
Officials have warned it is hot enough to incinerate any homes, roads and businesses in its path.
Molten lava is hotter than 898.88C (1,650F), according to the US Geological Survey.
People living in the projected path of the lava have started leaving.
"People have their life savings in their properties here. They face losing it all," said Mike Metcalf, whose Pahoa Auto Parts business could be in the path of the lava flow, although his home is in the clear.
The lava began bubbling out of the Kilauea volcano on 27 June and initially headed towards a smaller community before turning toward Pahoa.
It came to a standstill in September before resuming its meandering trudge several weeks ago.
With its hardened top layer extending like a darkened river up the volcano's slope, the lava flow has devoured grass and trees and sometimes triggered methane explosions.
A plume of black smoke hung near the town yesterday, hours after the lava crossed onto its first residential property during the night, officials said.
The front appeared to bypass a house even as it incinerated an uninhabited building.
However, a finger of lava later made a break for the evacuated home and could soon destroy it, said Darryl Oliveira, director of Hawaii County Civil Defense.
Authorities were set to go door-to-door at several homes and businesses nearest the lava flow to urge anyone there to leave before nightfall, he told reporters.
There have been no reports of looting, but plans were in place to bring in National Guard members to provide security.
