A house in Spain‘s Canary Islands that luckily escaped the lava from an erupting volcano has been dubbed by social media users as ‘miracle house’. 

The house is owned by a retired Danish couple – Inge and Ranier Cocq – who have not visited the property since the COVID-19 pandemic began, The BBC reported quoting El Mundo. 

More than 200 houses have been destroyed and over 6,000 people have been evacuated since the volcano erupted on Sunday. The lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano is still advancing towards the sea, with scientists not sure about how long the eruption will last. 

Also Read | Explained: Volcanic eruption on Spanish island and its impact

“Even though we can’t go now, we’re relieved that it’s still standing,” the couple told Ada Monnikendam, who built the house with her husband. 

Monnikendam said that the couple has a lot of friends in the area who have lost everything due to the volcano, with the lava consuming homes, schools, plantations and anything else in its way. 

“They don’t want to talk to anyone because they won’t stop crying,” she said. She also said it is “sad to know that the house is there alone without anyone being able to take care of it”. 

Officials have said that the lava could trigger a chemical reaction, which could release clouds of toxic gases if it reaches the sea. Experts have said that the lava is currently moving “very slowly”, and it is not clear if it will reach the sea. 

Also Read | Watch: Lava from Spain’s Cumbre Vieja volcano fills up swimming pool

The Canary Islands government has announced it will buy two housing developments for those who have been rendered homeless because of the lava. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez flew directly from La Palma to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. He cut his trip to the United States short in view of the volcanic eruption and will immediately return to the Canary Islands to oversee emergency operations.