Colombia ? A volcano erupted violently in southwestern Colombia on Thursday, spewing ash miles into the sky and prompting the evacuation of several thousand people living nearby.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious property damage after the 14,110-foot Galeras volcano began erupting about 8 p.m. and cascading lava lit up the night sky.

About 8,000 people live in areas near the volcano where Pasto’s mayor ordered an evacuation but “most of the city is not in danger,” Fernando Gil, director of Colombia’s Seismological Network, told The Associated Press.