KINILOW, Indonesia (AFP) - A series of eruptions at an Indonesian volcano threw rocks, lava and ash hundreds of metres into the air and forced thousands of people to flee, officials said Friday. Mount Lokon on Sulawesi island burst into life late Thursday and continued to spew ash and searing gas into the air well into the morning, prompting more than 4,400 residents to head to safety. "There was a big eruption around 10:31pm local time (1531 GMT Thursday), which saw ash, sand and rocks thrown 1,500 metres (4,800 feet) into the air," government volcanologist Kristianto told AFP.