Only 1 Survived Eruption in 'Paris of the West Indies'

First came waves of yellow ants and large, black centipedes. They scrabbled down the scrub-covered slopes of Martinique's Mount Pelée, scuttled over roads and tracks, and attacked workers in nearby cane fields. They even invaded the local landowner's house.
Then the snakes began their exodus. Hundreds, including deadly pit vipers, twisted and writhed down the volcano's flanks and headed across the countryside. It could have been a biblical plague.

Finally, at 8am on 8 May 1902, Mount Pelée blew its top, sending a massive cloud of incandescent gas hurtling down its flanks. Travelling at more than 100mph, it struck St Pierre at 8.02am.