In Centralia, Pennsylvania, a fire ignited in a landfill above an old coal mine, which would eventually lead to a persistent underground mine fire that continues to burn today. The landfill was in use for the disposal of waste, and during a routine cleaning, they set the debris on fire. Unbeknownst to them, the fire spread from the landfill into the mine’s network of tunnels. The event marked the beginning of a disaster that would fundamentally change the town of Centralia and its community.

As the fire spread through the coal seams in the deep underground tunnels, it ignited the coal and created a situation that would prove difficult to contain. Over the following years, the fire’s effects began to manifest visibly and dangerously within the town. Residents reported seeing smoke rising from the ground, ground subsidence, and the emergence of hazardous gases. These signs made it clear that something unusual was occurring beneath the town.

Despite initial dismissals of the situation, by the late 1970s, the danger became undeniable. The state of Pennsylvania took action to relocate residents, making the town one of the most enduring examples of a coal mine fire's impact on a community. The area was officially declared a disaster zone, leading to the evacuation of nearly all of Centralia's residents, with only a few remaining even today. The Centralia fire has reshaped the town’s landscape and serves as a cautionary tale about environmental oversight, waste management, and the long-term consequences of industrial activity.