In a spine-chilling drone spectacle, raging streams of lava descended upon the tranquil Icelandic fishing town of Grindavik, turning homes into infernos after a volcanic eruption on Sunday night.

The nightmare scenario unfolded as makeshift defences crumbled in the face of molten rock bursting from a newly formed 3,000ft fissure within the town. This marked the second evacuation in weeks for the 3,800 residents, prompted by a new eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula following a series of over 200 earthquakes.

Seismic activity heightened as the lava dangerously approached homes, but recently constructed rock barriers managed to hold their ground. Unfortunately, Civil Defence Chief Víoir Reynisson revealed the “worst case scenario” occurred when a fresh fissure erupted within Grindavik, spewing scorching lava into several homes, as captured in chilling aerial footage showing at least three homes consumed by flames.

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdottir declared the situation “highly serious,” emphasising the unexpected nature of the eruption within the town limits.

Additional harrowing footage from an Icelandic Coastguard helicopter displayed vast pools of rapidly advancing lava heading straight for the vulnerable fishing town. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported breaches in defences north of Grindavík, indicating an even more precarious situation.

Iceland’s President Gudni Johannesson assured the public that no lives were in immediate danger, though infrastructure faced imminent threats. He confirmed no disruptions to flights due to the eruption.

Lovísa Mjöll Guðmundsdóttir of the Icelandic Meteorological Office warned that more cracks might open, supported by GPS data indicating increased magma inflow into tunnels.

Considering options, authorities are contemplating using seawater-loaded pumps to cool down the lava, recognizing the severity of the situation. Evacuated resident Jon Gauti Dagbjartsson expressed the gravity of the event, stating, “This is serious, it’s basically as bad as it can possibly get.”

The Icelandic government plans to convene urgently to decide on support for the beleaguered residents of Grindavik.

Live video feeds revealed remnants of orange lava still surfacing but at reduced volumes and farther from the town. Police Chief Víðir Reynisson emphasised the need to be prepared for potential dangers, including significant cracks in Grindavík and the risk of major gas pollution.

This eruption, the second in four weeks on the Reykjanes peninsula, and the fifth since 2021, follows the largest volcanic eruption in the area in November. Defensive walls erected in the weeks following that eruption failed to redirect the magma away from the community.

Situated between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland is a seismic hotspot. The Reykjanes peninsula, home to 32 active volcanoes dormant for 800 years until 2021, continues to pose threats.

British tourists, Lorraine Crawford and her husband John, described their alarming experience witnessing the eruption while on holiday in Iceland, highlighting the excitement tinged with the realisation of potential damage caused by the natural disaster.