90 Miles From Tyranny : Centralia Pennsylvania, The City That Has Been on Fire Since 1962

Centralia, Pennsylvania, is a near-ghost town famous for an underground coal mine fire that started in May 1962, forcing the government to evacuate residents and demolish most of the buildings. [1, 2, 3]

Origin of the Fire

The Trash Fire: In May 1962, a municipal trash fire was set in an abandoned strip mine pit.
Coal Seam Ignition: The flames spread through a hole into the labyrinth of deep underground anthracite coal tunnels beneath Centralia.
Failed Attempts: Early efforts to dig out or quench the massive subterranean maze with water and materials failed, allowing the fire to catch deep coal seams. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Dangers and Evacuation

Toxic Gases: Poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaked into home basements.
Sinkholes: Sudden ground collapses opened up, including a 1981 incident where a 12-year-old boy nearly fell into a deep sinkhole.
Extreme Heat: Underground temperatures soared near 900°F, buckling local highways like Route 61.
Government Buyout: In 1984, Congress funded a major buyout; Pennsylvania condemned all properties using eminent domain in 1992 and revoked the ZIP code in 2002. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Current Status

Remaining Population: Only about five residents still live in the municipality under a special 2013 agreement allowing them to stay until they pass away. [1]
Future Outlook: The sprawling underground fire covers hundreds of acres and has enough fuel to keep burning for another 250 years or more. [1, 2, 3]

The fire inspired the horror movie Silent Hill