Lava from a slow-erupting volcano is within metres of homes on Hawaii's Big Island, as villagers prepare to evacuate.
The lava flow from the Kilauea volcano has been threatening nearby homes for weeks, and is just 91 metres from the nearest house.
The lava front is moving at 9-to-14 metres an hour.
"Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory," said the County of Hawaii's Civil Defence force in an online update.
The slow-moving waves of lava, burning everything in its path, had advanced some 251 metres in the past 24 hours towards Pahoa town, on the eastern tip of the island, officials said.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has declared a state of emergency last month after the lava advanced to within 1.6km of a residential area known as the Ka'ohe Homesteads.
Last week, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to unlock federal resources to help local emergency protective measures.
As the lava threatens a main road in the area, measures needed include providing alternative routes and accommodating some 900 children that will be displaced by the lava, according to Abercrombie's office.
Hawaii Island, or the Big Island, is the largest of the eight main islands which make up the Pacific US state - an archipelago that includes hundreds of smaller volcanic islands.
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