By BULLIT MARQUEZ Associated Press Writer

LEGAZPI, Philippines (AP) -- A 1 1/2-mile-high volcano erupted Thursday, spewing superheated ash into the air and sending streams of superhot, bright orange lava down its slopes.

Thousands of nearby villagers, many jarred from sleep by rumblings before the pre-dawn eruption, boarded army trucks to leave the area. Evacuees crammed into school classrooms and some took refuge under trees in the schoolyard. No injuries were reported.

The Mayon volcano's eruption began with lava gushing out of the crater, accompanied by loud rumblings that some nearby residents compared to thunder. Lava with temperatures that reached well above 1,000 degrees cascaded 3 1/2 miles down the mountain's near-perfect conical slopes. Ash rained as far as seven miles away.

Fourteen explosions were recorded by late afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The fiercest sent ash flying 4 1/2 miles into the air and spread it across the sky, darkening some villages and forcing cars to use their headlights at midday.

Officials warned that a more violent explosion could occur at any time.