River of lava slowly makes its way toward home

PAHOA, Hawaii — Rain fell Wednesday on a red-hot river of lava as it threatened to consume its first home on its slow advance into a rural Hawaii town.

A breakout of the lava flow was about 100 feet from a Pahoa residence, said Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira. The couple who lives in the home has left.

Scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory who are walking alongside the lava reported its leading edge was 240 yards from Pahoa Village Road, which goes through a commercial hub of the Big Island’s sprawling and isolated Puna district.

The leading edge remained in a large agricultural parcel that included another house, which was about 100 yards from the lava, Oliveira said.

Dozens of homes, business and other structures are in the area of the lava flow. That amount could increase as the flow front widens. So far lava has burned a garden shed, tires and some metal materials.

“Never in my wildest dreams as a kid growing up did I think I would be running from lava,” Denise Lagrimas said.