Seven people have been killed and 20 hurt after a volcano near Guatemala city exploded in a fiery display of ash and lava.
Volcan de Fuego, which translates to ‘volano of fire’ exploded just before noon on Sunday, 27 miles from Guatemala city.
The volcano, known to be one of Central America’s most active, has destroyed homes and blanketed nearby villages in a cloud of heavy ash.
Volcan de Fuego exploded Sunday 27miles away from Guatemala city, killing seven in its wake

Volcano Fuego is one of the most active in Central America, pictured belching ash and rock

The volcano exploded just before noon and lava flows follows hours afterwards, the thick cloud of ash pictured from Alotenango above

The eruption sent lava flows into nearby areas and covered communities in clouds of ash
Around four hours after the explosion lava flows reaching temperatures of about 1,300degrees Fahrenheit, cascaded down the mountain, according to ABC.
The eruption has already killed seven, according to National Disaster Coordinator Sergio Cabanas, who added that an undetermined number of people are missing.
Leading officials fear the toll could rise.
Sacatepezuez television showed images of the volcano’s damage including the charred landscape and three bodies laid partially buried in ash-colored debris from the volcano.
Among the fatalities four people were killed when lava set a house on fire in El Rodeo village, Cabanas said.
Two children were burned to death as they watched the volcano’s second eruption this year from a bridge, he added.

The eruption of one of Central America’s most active volcanoes sent locals fleeing, police carry an elderly evacuee in Alotenango, Sacatepequez department

Around 20 people have been hurt in the volcano eruption and undetermined number of people is missing, a fireman pictured being evacuated from Porvenir village after the explosion

Neighbors gather outside a temporary morgue near Volcan de Fuego in Alotenango Sunday
Another victim was found in the streets of El Rodeo by volunteer firefighters and later died in an ambulance.
Around 3,100 people have been evacuated from nearby communities into shelters.
The eruption affects an area home to 1.7million people.
Ash has effected not only Guatemala city but the departments of Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and the popular tourist destination colonial town Antigua.
The capital’s international airport has also been closed due to the danger the ash poses to planes.
The conical Volcan de Fuego reaches an altitude of 12,346ft (3,763 meters) above sea level at its peak.

Ash is seen on the streets and buildings of popular tourist destination town of Antigua Sunday

Drivers make their way through a light rain of volcanic ash, as the Volcan de Fuego erupts, in Guatemala City on Sunday

City workers sweep volcanic ash brought by the Volcan del Fuego, in Guatemala City Sunday

A woman sweeps volcanic ash brought by the Volcan del Fuego, from the sidewalk in Antigua

A man cleans his car from the fallen ash after the Fuego Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, erupted

Volcanic ash covers parked motorcycles brought by the Fuego Volcano in Antigua Guatemala