Centralia Ghost Town PA
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Description: Centralia is a small borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, that gained fame as a ghost town due to an ongoing underground coal mine fire that started in 1962. The fire, believed to have been caused by a landfill burning in a former strip mine, ignited a coal seam that continues to burn underground to this day. As the fire spread, the heat caused the ground to become unstable, resulting in sinkholes, smoke, and toxic gases being emitted. The town's residents were forced to evacuate, and most of the buildings were demolished. Today, Centralia is mostly abandoned, with only a few remaining residents. The remaining buildings, roads, and infrastructure are in a state of decay, giving Centralia a haunting and eerie atmosphere. Visitors can observe the cracked pavement, graffiti-covered buildings, and the smoke still rising from fissures in the ground. The abandoned stretch of Route 61, now known as the "Graffiti Highway," has become a popular spot for urban explorers and graffiti artists. Due to safety concerns related to the ongoing underground fire and the unstable ground, visitors are strongly advised to exercise caution and respect any posted signs or barriers. The underground mine fire continues to emit toxic gases, making it unsafe to remain in the area for an extended period. Centralia's unique history and status as a ghost town have attracted attention from filmmakers, writers, and curious individuals interested in the eerie remnants of the once-thriving community. It has inspired stories and urban legends, and it serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of underground mine fires