The Town of ‘Hellfire’ Has Been Burning for Over Six Decades

Centralia, Pennsylvania, was once a thriving mining town, but a fire that broke out in 1962 transformed it into a desolate place. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but its effects are evident. The fire spread into the underground mines, causing damage and creating fissures that emitted gas and smoke throughout the town. As a result, most residents had to evacuate, leaving Centralia deserted.

Before the fire started, Centralia thrived on the mining industry, particularly the abundant anthracite coal deposit underground. The town, initially named Centerville, was annexed in 1866 and later changed its name to Centralia. By the 1890s, more than 2,700 people called Centralia home, relying on the mine for their livelihood. Despite facing challenges like the Great Depression, Centralia continued to prosper.

While fires in the mines were not uncommon in Centralia’s history, the fire of 1962 was unprecedented. It is believed to have started in the town’s landfill, which was a converted mine used for dumping garbage. The fire likely spread deep into the mines, igniting a coal vein that expanded into a massive fire. Due to the toxic fumes from carbon monoxide, mining operations had to cease, and residents were eventually forced to leave Centralia.

Today, the fire beneath Centralia still burns and could continue for another 250 years until all the fuel is consumed. Similar coal fires have been reported worldwide, posing a significant risk due to their near impossibility to extinguish. Countries like the US, China, and India have experienced numerous coal fires caused by burning coal either through human activity or natural processes.

Centralia serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of fires in mining towns and the challenges of containing such disasters. While only a few residents remain in the town today, the legacy of the fire continues to endure, symbolizing the fragility of human settlements built on the extraction of natural resources.