Hawaii’s volcano makes 1,700 people flee from homes

More than 1,700 people have been evacuated and 21 homes destroyed in Hawaii as the Kilauea volcano erupted and spewed lava more than 200 feet in the air. Officials said the decimated homes were in the Leilani Estates subdivision where molten rock, toxic gas and steam have been bursting through openings in the ground created by the volcano. There is no indication when the lave might stop or how far it might spread. Traditional Hawaiian beliefs say it depends on Pele, the volcano goddess who is said to reside in Kilauea. About 240 people and 90 pets spent Saturday night at shelters, the American Red Cross said.