Centralia, Pennsylvania was once a bustling small town, fueled by the coal mining industry. However, in 1962, a fire started in one of the abandoned coal mines beneath the town. This fire has been burning ever since, causing the town to become a ghost town and a tourist destination for those interested in the history of the fire.
The cause of the Centralia mine fire is still a matter of debate, but it is believed to have started when the town’s landfill was set on fire, which then spread to the coal mines. The fire has been burning for over 50 years, and it shows no signs of stopping. As a result, the town has been abandoned, with only a few residents remaining despite the risks to their health and safety.
The history of the Centralia mine fire is a fascinating and tragic story, highlighting the dangers of coal mining and the devastating impact that a fire can have on a community. Despite the ongoing danger, tourists still flock to the town to see the remnants of what was once a thriving community, now reduced to a smoldering ghost town.
The Beginning of the Centralia Mine Fire
Early Discoveries and Ignition
Centralia, Pennsylvania was once a bustling town that thrived on the anthracite coal industry. In 1962, a fire was accidentally ignited in a landfill located in the outskirts of the town. The landfill was situated on top of an abandoned strip mine, which was filled with coal and other combustible materials.
The fire quickly spread from the landfill to the coal seam beneath it, and the flames soon engulfed the entire mine. The exact cause of the fire is still a matter of debate, but it is believed to have been ignited by burning trash or hot coals that were dumped into the landfill.
Attempts to Extinguish the Fire
The Centralia Borough Council initially tried to extinguish the fire by pouring water into the mine, but this only made the situation worse. The water reacted with the coal and created steam, which caused the ground to shift and crack. This allowed more oxygen to enter the mine, which only fueled the flames.
Several other attempts were made to extinguish the fire, including the construction of a trench around the mine to prevent the fire from spreading. However, none of these efforts were successful, and the fire continued to burn underground for decades.
The Centralia Mine Fire continues to burn to this day, and it has had a devastating impact on the town and its residents. The fire has caused sinkholes to form, toxic gases to be released, and the ground to become unstable. As a result, nearly all of the town’s residents were forced to relocate, and Centralia is now considered a ghost town.
Impact on Centralia and Residents
Evacuations and Relocation
The Centralia PA mine fire had a significant impact on the residents of the town. As the fire continued to burn, it posed a threat to the health and safety of the people who lived there. In August of 1983, an overwhelming majority of Centralia’s residents voted to relocate the town [1]. The relocation process was not easy, but it was necessary to ensure the safety of the community.
The relocation process began in 1984 when the state of Pennsylvania declared eminent domain over the properties in Centralia. The residents were given the option to sell their homes to the state or have them condemned. Most of the residents chose to sell their homes, and by 1992, the town was completely abandoned [1].
Health and Environmental Concerns
The Centralia mine fire also had significant health and environmental concerns. The fire produced large amounts of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases, which posed a serious threat to the health of the residents. In June of 1979, carbon monoxide and other deadly gases were detected in the homes of John Coddington and David Lamb [2]. The heat and steam from the fire also threatened Coddington’s gas station, forcing it to close by December of that year.
The environmental impact of the fire was also significant. The fire burned through the coal seams, releasing large amounts of smoke and ash into the air. The smoke and ash caused significant pollution, and the sinkholes that formed as a result of the fire also posed a danger to the surrounding environment [4].
Transition to Ghost Town
After the relocation process was completed, Centralia became a ghost town. The once-thriving community was reduced to a few remaining buildings, including a church and a cemetery. The graffiti-covered road that once ran through the town, known as the Graffiti Highway, has become a popular tourist attraction [4].
The zip code for Centralia, 17927, is still in use, but it is now assigned to nearby Ashland. The town’s legacy lives on as a tragic example of a community destroyed by a coal mine fire, and the impact of the fire is still felt today [3].
Overall, the impact of the Centralia mine fire on the town and its residents was significant. The evacuation and relocation process was necessary to ensure the safety of the community, and the health and environmental concerns caused by the fire were significant. The transition to a ghost town has left a lasting legacy, and the tragedy of Centralia serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of coal mining.
Government and Legal Actions
The Role of the Government
The Centralia mine fire was a disaster that required government intervention. The Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania played a significant role in the efforts to control the fire. According to DEP, the State and Federal governments expended $3.3 million between 1962 and 1978 to control the fire with limited results.
In 1979, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania formed the Centralia Borough Relocation Assistance Program to help residents move out of the town. The government was paying for their properties which had been threatened by the mine fire. While it wasn’t easy, they had a chance to start over. The effort to relocate the remaining residents of Centralia was contentious. Those who wished to stay often felt betrayed when others left. Some viewed leaving as a triumph.
Legal Measures and Eminent Domain
The Centralia mine fire history itself is replete with intense legal battles. In 1983, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against the Centralia Borough Council to force the evacuation of the town. In 1984, the court ordered the evacuation of Centralia. The government used eminent domain to acquire the properties of the remaining residents who refused to leave.
According to David Dekok, the government’s decision to use eminent domain to acquire the properties of the remaining residents was controversial. Some residents felt that they were being forced out of their homes against their will. Others believed that the government’s actions were necessary to protect the health and safety of the residents.
In the years that followed, the government continued its efforts to clean up the Centralia fire. The cleanup efforts included the construction of a new section of Route 61, which bypassed the town. Today, the Centralia mine fire serves as a memorial to the town’s history and the efforts of the government to protect its citizens.
Cultural and Historical Legacy
Centralia, Pennsylvania’s history has been deeply affected by the mine fire that has been burning beneath the town since 1962. Over the years, the town has become a subject of fascination for many people, inspiring works of art and literature, as well as documentaries.
Centralia in Popular Culture
Centralia’s abandoned streets, cracked roads, and graffiti-covered buildings have inspired a number of artists and filmmakers. The town is said to have been the inspiration for the video game Silent Hill, which features a similar abandoned town with a dark history. The game’s creators have acknowledged that Centralia was a source of inspiration for the game’s setting.
Centralia has also been featured in a number of music videos. In 2013, the band Fall Out Boy shot their music video for “Alone Together” in the town. The video features the band members exploring the abandoned streets and buildings of Centralia, as well as shots of the town’s famous smoke and steam rising from the ground.
Documentaries and Literature
Centralia’s history has been the subject of several documentaries, including “The Day the Earth Caved In,” which was produced by the History Channel. The documentary explores the history of the mine fire and its impact on the town and its residents. It features interviews with residents, as well as archival footage and photographs of the town.
Centralia has also been the subject of several works of literature. In 2007, journalist David DeKok published a book titled “Unseen Danger: A Tragedy of People, Government, and the Centralia Mine Fire.” The book explores the history of the mine fire and its impact on the town and its residents.
In conclusion, Centralia’s history has left a lasting legacy on popular culture and literature. The town’s abandoned streets, cracked roads, and graffiti-covered buildings have inspired artists and filmmakers, while its tragic history has been the subject of several documentaries and works of literature.
Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Cool Rad Weird