At least 6 killed, 20 hurt by erupting volcano in Guatemala

One of Central America's most active volcanos erupted in fiery explosions of ash and molten rock, killing at least six people and injuring 20 while a towering cloud of smoke blanketed nearby villages in heavy ash.

National Disaster Coordinator Sergio Cabanas said an undetermined number of people were missing following yesterday's eruption of the Volcan de Fuego, Spanish for "volcano of fire," which lies 44 kilometres (27 miles) from Guatemala City.

Cabanas said four people, including a disaster agency official, died when lava set a house on fire in El Rodeo village, and two children were burned to death as they watched the volcano's second eruption this year from a bridge.

David de Leon, spokesman for the disaster agency, said about 300 people evacuated areas near the volcano.

Ash was falling on the Guatemala City area as well as the departments of Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla, which are in south-central Guatemala around the volcano. Streets and houses were covered in the colonial town of Antigua, a popular tourist destination.

Aviation authorities closed the capital's international airport because of the danger posed to planes by the ash.

The conical Volcan de Fuego reaches an altitude of 12,346 feet (3,763 metres) above sea level at its peak.