Fire Volcano covers Guatemala towns with rock, ash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Feb. 7, 2015: A tourist covers his face as he walks next to a car covered with ash from the eruption of the Fuego Volcano at Antigua Guatemala. (AP)
The Fire Volcano in southern Guatemala exploded incandescent rock and ash over surrounding towns Saturday.
David de Leon, spokesman for the national disaster preparedness office, said authorities had put area on alert, but no evacuations had been made so far.
Karina Lopez, a resident of nearby Antigua, said ash mixed with a drizzle to reduce visibility and the volcano continued to rumble.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction agency issued instructions urging people to take shelter, wear masks, cover water tanks and be aware of evacuation routes. Firefighters were standing by.
The volcano sits on the border of the Guatemalan states of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango. It has a height of 3,763 meters (12,346 feet) above sea level.