At 06.57 on Sunday morning, the darkness of night outside Grindavik is broken by a bright light. The volcanic eruption is a fact and in the coming hours the lava will reach the city and destroy several homes.
Hrannar Jón Emilsson was one of those who, through a live broadcast, saw his house swallowed up by the lava.
"It's quite surreal to see your family home just disappear. I'm still digesting what's going on.
Reduced lava flow
The eruption closest to Grindavik now seems to have ceased completely, reports the public service broadcaster Rúv.
Along the volcano's northern fissure, lava comes from only two of four vents that formed on Sunday morning.
But several experts warn that the situation is still uncertain. Intensive work is now underway to strengthen the levees around Grindavik and the roads into the city will be closed for a long time.
See the hour-by-hour images of the eruption in the video above.