Hidden beneath the surface of Centralia, Pennsylvania, there exists a fire that has been burning for more than 60 years.
This ongoing blaze has transformed the lively town into a ghostly and unsettling place, with deserted streets and eerie smoke emanating from the ground.
Centralia's enduring inferno remains shrouded in mystery.
Centralia town in Pennsylvania has been mysteriously burning for over six decades
Around 100 years ago, Centralia was a bustling town with a vibrant economy and a population of approximately 1,200 residents.
The coal mines provided employment and prosperity, making Centralia a prosperous place to live.
However, everything changed on a fateful day.
On May 27, 1962, a fire broke out deep within the coal mine. The workers were evacuated, and the fire was initially believed to burn itself out.
Unfortunately, the fire continued to rage relentlessly, leading to the eventual abandonment of the town.
Today, Centralia is a ghost town, with only a handful of residents choosing to remain despite the dangers.
The once-thriving streets have vanished, and eerie smoke rises from beneath the ground is still burns.
This unsettling scene has earned Centralia the nickname "real Silent Hill," evoking comparisons to the popular horror video game and movie franchise.
The fire that still burns underground emits toxic gases into the air, posing health risks for anyone in the area.
The constant fear of the ground collapsing adds to the town's eerie atmosphere.
In reality, the federal government has even revoked Centralia's ZIP code due to the safety hazards it presents.
The situation is even more astonishing because the fire was not accidental.
In early 1962, the residents of Centralia had constructed a pit to dispose of illegal waste.
However, the landfill quickly became full and needed to be cleared before the town's Memorial Day celebration.
The authorities decided to burn the landfill, hoping to reduce its size. Firefighters lined the pit with a material meant to contain the flames, but the fire persisted.
It was later discovered that the fire had reached the coal mines beneath the town through a hole in the ground.
Efforts to extinguish the fire have been in vain. The temperature of the ground has risen drastically, reaching up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
As a result, residents experienced health issues, leading many to evacuate and abandon their homes.
Experts estimate that there is enough coal to fuel the fire for another 250 years.
