A little piece of hell on earth... Centralia, PA is located in Eastern PA and is home to an interesting turn of events. In 1962, this mining town was changed forever. It was decided to turn an old strip mine, near the Odd Fellows Cemetery into the new landfill for the areas, as the old was reaching capacity.

The pit was to be filled with incombustible material, incase a fire broke out so it wouldn't be spread to local mines. The pit passed inspection and was given permit.

A fire broke out in May of 1962, after many flare ups it was extinguished. Days later the firemen discovered the problem. During the sealing, one hole was passed by as it couldn't be seen. Covered in garbage, a large hole almost 15 feet long, provided a passage for the fire to spread to the mines. 

Holes were drilled to check temperature of the fire, which probably added a source of oxygen to the fire. 

Once the vein ignited, there seemed to be no way to stop it. The attempts that were made, were half assed. A trench was dug to stop the spread, but was only carried out in one shift per day, and halted for holiday.

The steady decline of the town hit an all time low in February of 1981. Todd Domboski was playing in his grandmothers backyard and the ground beneath him opened. The boy held onto exposed tree roots above the 150 foot deep hole until his cousin pulled him out.

Not only now were toxic gases seeping in through their basements, but there was threat of the very ground beneath them giving way.

In 1983, the plan was to buy out the homes of the residents and dig a 500 foot trench completely around Centralia, to shelter surrounding towns from the spread of fire.

Most people opted for this easy out, But some families stayed on... Loyal to their hometown, or just their homes. Population that had reached 1,100 dwindled to 46, With very few structures left standing.

The fires of Centralia prompted an end to a nearby mining town, as well as its own end. Byrnesville, PA was another mining town that was virtually abandoned because of Centralia's fires.

More then 20 years ago, and still no trench built by the government.

The fire has moved slightly through the years. Its now visible from the cemetery, as you see smoke hanging around the headstones, and smoke curl around the trees behind the cemetery.

It sadly appears to be a regular tourist location... The day of our trip there were numerous cars parked just outside the cemetery. Mother, Father, & Child wandering among the cracks in the ground, Pointing out to each other another find.

This town that at one point must have been a beautiful, rural town has been torn apart by a careless mistake and is now a source of enjoyment by outsiders.

In a very odd way, the sight is beautiful. Smoke curling lazily out of a crack in an old road... Quiet all around. No animals or birds in sight, I'm sure the toxic gases have even caused them to move.

We ignored the detour around the small patch of 61 blocked off, grateful for my SUV, and drove the road. No tourists in this area... There were a few locals present that gave us hints on where to look.

Its defiantly a surreal sight to see smoke curling from the cracked ground... Feel the heat of the fire all around you... But not see the flames. 

Links:

http://www.u-town.com/centralia/ 

http://www.salonsandspasonline.com/centraliapa/links.htm

~Tory

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