Through a combination of bureaucratic apathy and incompetence, the mine fire had burned continuously since 1962. It threatened the homes, health, and safety of the people who lived there. In August of 1983, an overwhelming majority of the Centralia’s residents had voted to relocate the town.
When did people start leaving Centralia Pennsylvania?
Things took an abrupt turn in 1992 . That year, Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey declared eminent domain over the remaining Centralia properties. This was followed by an eviction of the remaining residents.
When did people start leaving Centralia?
Only 16 homes were still standing by 2006, which was reduced to eleven by 2009 when Governor Ed Rendell began the formal eviction of the remaining Centralia residents.
Is Centralia still on fire 2020?
Today, Centralia still burns as one of 38 known active mining fires in the Pennsylvania. According to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, the fire could burn for another century if left uncontrolled.
Will the Centralia fire spread?
As long as there’s enough heat, fuel, and oxygen to keep it going, the fire won’t burn out. ... Today, the Centralia fire covers six square miles and spreads 75 feet per year . Shockingly, it could burn for another 250 years.
Can you move to Centralia PA?
The few remaining residents of a Pennsylvania coal town that was largely razed in the 1980s because of an underground mine fire that still burns today have gotten their wish — to be left alone, free to live out their lives there. ...
Are there any buildings left in Centralia PA?
Now there are only about six diehards left in the hilly coal country town. The streets are empty and bare. Very few houses are left standing, and the underground fire is still burning. There’s almost nothing left in Centralia —except a white church with a blue dome that rises above the trees.
What is the longest burning fire in history?
Fueled by coal seams
A coal seam-fueled eternal flame in Australia known as “Burning Mountain” is claimed to be the world’s longest burning fire, at 6,000 years old. A coal mine fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania, has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. The Laurel Run mine fire started burning in 1915.
How much longer will Centralia burn?
16) Q: How long can the Centralia Mine Fire burn? A: If left uncontrolled, it is estimated that the Centralia Mine Fire could burn for over 100 years .
Can you still see smoke in Centralia?
Only a few structures remain at present . The occasional home here and there, The Centralia Municipal Building and a few random structures. There are hot spots in the borough where smoke and steam rise out of the ground, evidence of the fire that still burns down below.
Is Silent Hill real?
While the environment of Silent Hill seems as though it could only exist in nightmares, it is actually a very real place with a devastating history. The town of Silent Hill, West Virginia is actually Centralia, Pennsylvania.
What started the fire in Centralia PA?
No one knows exactly how it started, but a coal vein has been burning under the Pennsylvania mining town of Centralia since 1962. Some trace it back to careless trash incineration in a landfill next to an open pit mine, which ignited a coal vein.
Is Silent Hill based on Centralia?
The 2006 horror film, Silent Hill, was partially inspired by the town of Centralia, PA . The film itself is an adaptation of the Silent Hill video game series which was first released by Konami in 1999. Silent Hill was directed by Christophe Gans and written by Roger Avary, Christophe Gans, and Nicolas Boukhrief.
What is left in Centralia PA?
What was left, was a 3/4 mile stretch of abandoned roadway near St. Ignatius Cemetery that showed the incredible power of the underground fire. A large crack in the road along the Graffiti Highway in Centralia, Pennsylvania. Over time, the road became covered in graffiti.
Can you buy property in Centralia PA?
At this point, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania owned most of the borough. ... So, while there are still several inhabited homes in Centralia PA, the people who live in them are not the lawful owners. They have been permitted to stay there by the deeded owner – the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Can you drive in Centralia PA?
A few people have asked if it is legal to explore the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. In short, there is nothing stopping visitors from driving into the borough, parking, and walking around . A majority of Centralia is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
