Centralia, Pennsylvania, looks quiet today, but beneath the ground an old coal mine fire has been burning for decades. Most of the town that once stood here is gone, while roads, empty lots, and patches of woodland have replaced much of the former community. The story began in 1962 and gradually changed Centralia from a working coal town into one of America’s best-known abandoned places.
 |
| The history and landscape, rather than repeating “eternal fire” several times |
The fire is still burning underground, but the story of Centralia is about more than an unusual fire. It is also a story of coal mining, failed attempts to control an underground blaze, dangerous ground conditions, and the relocation of a community.
Where Is Centralia, Pennsylvania?
Before the mine fire began, Centralia was a small but established community. Pennsylvania DEP records indicate that approximately 1,100 to 1,200 people lived in the borough in 1962. (Centralia Mine Fire FAQ)
How Did the Centralia Mine Fire Start?
The 1962 Fire
The Centralia mine fire was first reported on May 27, 1962. Pennsylvania DEP says the fire began in an abandoned strip-mine pit that served as a disposal area for residential waste. The exact circumstances surrounding the ignition have been discussed for decades, but the official Pennsylvania account states that an intentional burning of residential trash reportedly allowed the fire to spread into combustible material and then into nearby coal mine workings. (Pennsylvania DEP Centralia Fire Resources) Once the fire entered the underground workings, extinguishing it became far more complicated than putting out an ordinary surface fire.
Why Was the Fire So Difficult to Stop?
Centralia had an extensive network of old mine workings beneath the surface. Coal and other combustible material remained underground, giving the fire room to spread. Government agencies spent years trying different methods to control it. Pennsylvania DEP records that state and federal governments spent about $3.3 million between 1962 and 1978 on fire-control efforts, with limited results. (Pennsylvania DEP chronology)
The U.S. Bureau of Mines also studied Centralia and evaluated possible methods, including excavation, flooding, hydraulic flushing, and underground barriers. The technical report remains available through the CDC's NIOSH archive. (U.S. Bureau of Mines report)
 |
| Pennsylvania coal fire town |
Why Did Centralia Become Nearly Abandoned?
Route 61 and the Growing Danger
The underground fire eventually produced serious problems above ground. In 1983, Pennsylvania DEP records say a section of Route 61 suffered severe subsidence damage associated with the fire. The roadway had to be stabilised and was eventually closed. (Pennsylvania DEP chronology)
At the same time, gases and unstable ground created increasing concerns for people living in the affected area. In 1984, Congress appropriated $42 million for voluntary acquisition and relocation of affected residences and businesses. In the years that followed, the government purchased many properties and removed buildings. The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement describes Centralia as a community where homes were purchased and buildings demolished to protect residents from the mine fire. (OSMRE Centralia Project)
 |
| Centralia, PA |
Is the Centralia Mine Fire Still Burning?
Can You Visit Centralia Today?
 |
| Coal fire in Pennsylvania town |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Centralia, Pennsylvania?
An underground coal mine fire that began in 1962 eventually caused dangerous gases, subsidence, and other problems. Many residents were relocated, and much of the built-up town disappeared.
When did the Centralia mine fire start?
The fire was first reported on May 27, 1962, according to the Pennsylvania DEP.
Why was Centralia evacuated?
Residents were relocated because of hazards associated with the underground fire, including dangerous gases and unstable ground.
Is the Centralia mine fire still burning?
Yes. The underground fire continues to burn and is monitored by government agencies.
Is Centralia safe to visit?
The immediate mine-fire area is not considered safe. Pennsylvania DEP warns about dangerous gases and sudden ground collapse and strongly discourages visiting the immediate area.
 |
| Aristes Pa |
Centralia, Pennsylvania: The Town That Still Burns Underground
 |
| Coal fire in Pennsylvania |
 |
| Pennsylvania town on fire |
 |
| Centralia coal fire |
Conclusion
Centralia is often remembered simply as the Pennsylvania town with an underground fire, but its history is more complicated than that. It grew around coal mining, survived for generations, and then changed dramatically after the fire entered the abandoned mine workings in 1962.
Today, there is much less left to see than there once was. The empty spaces and remaining traces of the old community make Centralia unusual, but the underground fire is the part of the story that continues. More than six decades after it began, it remains a reminder of how difficult and unpredictable an underground coal fire can be.
References & Sources
No comments:
Post a Comment