LONDON (AP) — A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and the Blue Lagoon spa. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik, where some 40 homes have been evacuated, national broadcaster RUV reported.

A volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland led to the evacuation of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon, with the fissure measuring 500 meters and molten rock visible.

Iceland’s Met Office says a volcano is erupting in the southwestern part of the country, hours after a nearby town and a geothermal spa were evacuated