Hawaii lava flow hits property, threatens dozens more

RESENDING WITH CORRECTED RESTRICTIONS

The ribbon of molten lava on the Big Island of Hawaii has been slogging towards the small town of Pahoa- (PA-HO-A) for weeks, threatening homes.

On Tuesday, the lava finally claimed a house and now residents of some 50 other homes are being urged to prepare to leave.

SOUNDBITE: RESIDENT DARISSA KEKUAWELA SAYING:

"My parents build the house 36 years ago. The initial shock was like you were losing a person, like a loved one in your family."

Many have been reluctantly emptying their houses...some are being told they may have to leave...for good.

SOUNDBITE: RESIDENT BUNNY ETRATA SAYING:

"Just a sad thing right now, very emotional."

Everything in the path of the lava is destroyed.

It's even swallowed up the local cemetery, in this town of about 800 people who built their community on the site of a former sugar plantation.

SOUNDBITE: DARRYL OLIVEIRA, HAWAII COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR, SAYING: