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Centralia Mine Fire
A coal mine fire has been burning under Centralia, Pennsylvania since 1962. It may burn for 250 more years. The town was evacuated. Roads buckle from heat. Smoke rises from cracks. The ground is hollow and burning. Silent Hill was inspired by it.
1962 - Present
Pennsylvania, USA
10000+ witnesses
Centralia has burned for over 60 years.
The Start
May 1962:
- Trash burning in landfill
- Over abandoned mine
- Fire spread to coal seam
- Couldn’t be extinguished
- Still burning
The Town
What happened:
- 1,000+ residents
- Gradually evacuated
- Houses demolished
- Roads condemned
- Near ghost town
The Danger
Current hazards:
- Subsidence sinkholes
- Toxic gases
- Ground too hot
- Steam vents
- Unpredictable collapse
The Holdouts
Those who stayed:
- Handful of residents
- Refused to leave
- Granted life estates
- Elderly now
- Town will die with them
The Fire
What burns:
- Coal seam
- 8 miles of tunnels
- 3,700 acres at risk
- Could burn 250+ years
- Enough fuel remains
Silent Hill
Pop culture:
- Video game inspiration
- Movie location
- Fog and fire
- Abandoned town
- Perfect horror setting