A Fire That Never Went Out
In 1962, a fire was accidentally ignited in a landfill near an old coal mine in Centralia, Pennsylvania. The flames spread underground, reaching coal seams beneath the town. Attempts to extinguish it failed, and the fire continued burning beneath the surface.
Sinkholes and Toxic Fumes
By the 1970s, residents noticed heat rising from the ground and smoke seeping from cracks in the pavement. Dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide, were detected. In 1981, a 12-year-old boy nearly fell into a sinkhole that suddenly opened beneath him.
The Town is Abandoned
As conditions worsened, the government offered residents buyouts, and most accepted. By 1992, the state claimed all remaining properties under eminent domain. In 2002, the town’s ZIP code was revoked.
Few Remain as the Fire Burns On
Though nearly all buildings are gone, a handful of residents refused to leave. Today, Centralia is nearly deserted, with smoke still rising from underground. Experts estimate the fire could continue burning for another 250 years.
Beneath an abandoned town in Pennsylvania, a fire has burned for over 60 years. It started in 1962 as a landfill fire but spread underground, igniting coal seams. Efforts to stop it failed, forcing most residents to leave as the town slowly disappeared.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/YFTVQyIDKZ
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) January 29, 2025