Hawaii lava flow destroys first home

Lava from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano engulfed a home Tuesday in Pahoa village, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

It is the first home to be destroyed by the lava flow, CNN reported.

The residents had long cleared out with their belongings, officials said.

"The lava spread out and ignited the house before noon local time," USGS spokeswoman Janet Baab said.

"There are no other homes in imminent danger. We are watching the flow closely and continue to monitor it."

There is nothing residents can do about the 2,000-degree Fahrenheit river of lava that's been inching towards their town since June 27, Baab added.

Kilauea has been an active volcano since 1983.