Ashes erupting from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Canary Islands blanketed most of the island in the south of Spain on Friday.

When residents of Los Llanos de Ariadne awoke in the morning, they found their homes, workplaces, and businesses completely engulfed in ashes.

As the shopkeepers cleaned the ashes in front of their business outlets, the residents strolled on the streets with umbrellas to protect themselves from the ashes that continued to pour.

- It's bad, very bad. We already have enough problems and now we need to deal with the ashes - Gregorio Paz, a Spanish shopkeeper, told Anadolu Agency.

Paz said it was the second ash rain since the activation of the volcano in mid-September.

- I was on leave and started work today. I had to pick up the broom immediately. I have to keep cleaning otherwise everyone will carry the ashes into the shop - he said.

The ashes should be cleaned as soon as possible, the shopkeeper said, because they set "in a short time like cement" and can clog pipes and drains.

Paz went on to say that he was one of the victims of Cumbre Vieja – the first active volcano in La Palma after 50 years – but still feels happy as he did not lose his house due to volcano eruption.

- I hope this nightmare will end when I go to bed and wake up in the morning - Paz, who was born on the island, added. - However, it seems to me that it will take much longer - he remarked, hoping for the best.

According to Copernicus, the EU Earth observation program, the lava pouring out of the volcano, which has been active since Sept. 19, has covered an area of 709 hectares so far, and damaged more than 1,000 houses, with 870 of them completely destroyed.

The lava, which burned some agricultural fields and greenhouses in the vicinity, also wrecked the 30 kilometers (18.7 miles) road, according to reports.

While it has been reported that gas emissions in La Palma have increased in the last two days, the Spanish Department of Homeland Security has stated that rising sulfur dioxide emissions do not represent a health risk.

Earlier, the Institute for Volcanic Studies of the Canary Islands said eruptions are expected to continue for 24 to 84 days.