Centralia: The Town That's Still on Fire

YouTube / Atlas Obscura
YouTube / Atlas Obscura / YouTube / Atlas Obscura
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Centralia, Pennsylvania has been on fire for 53 years. It all started when a 1962 dump fire spread to the coal veins running underneath and surrounding the town. Once the fire began underground, it was impossible to stop—and it occasionally bursts to the surface in dramatic fashion. Now we simply wait until all the coal slowly burns up.

In this video from Atlas Obscura, we learn a little more about this near-ghost town—and see what it looks like today.

For more fire facts, check out 5 Places That Are Still On Fire by Miss Cellania.