Thousands flee Guatemala volcano

Families living near Guatemala's roaring Fuego volcano have fled to local emergency shelters after the massive volcano erupted, spewing smoke and ash into the sky early Thursday afternoon.

With little time to prepare for the sudden evacuation, Red Cross officials and volunteers were called in to help families settle into a temporary shelter at this local school.

One shelter volunteer told Reuters that five pregnant women and four people with disabilities were among them.

Around 11, 000 people have been evacuated.

The volcano is 40 km southwest of the capital Guatemala City.

Officials monitoring the volcanic activity said it was seen as stabilizing on Friday.

They were hopeful it will return to normal activity by tomorrow and that families will be able to head home.