MALPAISILLO, Nicaragua (AP) -- In the face of a new eruption, Nicaragua's government declared a "maximum alert" Friday for town near the Cerro Negro Volcano and evacuated families frightened by earthquakes and spurts of ash and glowing rocks.

Lava and ash spewed from three new openings at the volcano, 70 kms (44 miles) northwest of Managua, Thursday night though activity had abated Friday morning.

Some 500 people were evacuated Friday from towns on the volcano's slopes, Maj. Alberto Narvaez of the Civil Defense said. They were being taken to schools and health centers in the towns of Malpaisillo, Telica and Quetzalguaque.

Some 1,220 people were evacuated Thursday when the volcano emitted a rain of fine ash over the residents' humble huts and fields, Civil Defense Lt. Carlos Caceres said.

Families fled their towns on ox-drawn carts carrying their rustic furniture as well as dogs and chickens.  "We're going because we're scared," Leoncio Aburto said Thursday upon arriving at one of the seven refugee centers set up in Malpaisillo, 10 kms (six miles)northeast of the volcano. "The volcano made a horrible noise and if it blows up, God help us."