The Centralia mine fire is a coal-seam fire that has been burning in the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines underneath the borough of Centralia, Pennsylvania, United States, since at least May 27, 1962. Its original cause and start date are still a matter of debate.

Feb 8, 2024 · Since May 1962, a coal fire has continuedly burned underneath Centralia, PA, and forced residents to flee this once-prosperous mining town. When the fire began, residents began complaining of foul odors entering their homes, and soon, wisps of …

Jun 12, 2018 · Centralia, Pennsylvania was once a bustling mining center, but a hidden, underground fire has turned it into a smoldering ghost town.

Sep 30, 2014 · The Centralia PA mine fire has been constantly on the move since it started burning around Memorial Day of 1962. The underground fire follows a convoluted maze of abandoned coal mines and seams in the vicinity of the town.

The Centralia fire now reaches as deep as 300 feet and covers some six square miles-- that's more than seven Disneyland's. It's advancing around 75 feet per year along four separate branches and could burn for another 250 years.

A: The Centralia Mine Fire was first detected in a surface mine pit just southeast of the Centralia Borough boundary near the eastern border of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.(Link to Fire Location Map (pdf))

The Centralia Mine Fire has been burning in the abandoned deep mine workings of the Buck Mountain Coal Bed since May 1962. The fire reportedly originated as an intentional controlled burning of residential trash in an abandoned strip pit (surface mine).

Oct 11, 2023 · By most accounts, Centralia's great fire began at a dump near the local Odd Fellows Cemetery. On Sunday, May 27, 1962, this local landfill was intentionally set ablaze by the fire department, with six volunteer firefighters standing by. It was all part of a yearly cleanup effort the local city council organized.

Aug 13, 2023 · Just a little under three hours to the west of New York City, the community of Centralia, Pennsylvania, once boasted quite the reputation as a mining hub - but now it is a deserted town with a massive fire burning underneath.

The Centralia Task Force, with authorization from OSM, utilizes condemnation procedures to acquire properties and relocate remaining residents. This action is taken due to threat from noxious gases and subsidence.