IgoUgo

Centralia Journals

Ghost-Town on Fire

A May 2007 trip to Centralia by artbasement

Warning - Underground Mine Fire Photo - More Photos
Quote: I've been reading about Centralia for years - I finally had to make a visit to see it for myself.
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Ghost-Town on Fire Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Warning - Underground Mine Fire Photo -
Quote:
It all started with a fire in a garbage dump. Stories differ on whether the fire was a controlled burn or accidental, but no one debates that the fire started in the dump in late May 1962. Since the dump was located in an abandoned stip mining pit, the fire easily spread to an exposed anthracite coal vein and burned its way under the town. There has been plenty of fuel to keep feeding this fire ever since.Throughout the years, there have been various attempts to extinguish or contain the fire. Homes were abandoned, bought out, or taken over by eminent domain. As families left, their homes were torn down. Since most of the homes were row-houses, brick supporting structures were built to ...Read More

About the Writer

artbasement

artbasement
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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