CENTRALIA - GHOST TOWN Burning Underground

*UPDATE* The time capsule ended up being opened on October 4, 2014 which was much earlier than expected.
Watch my interview regarding Centralia on Netflix, '72 Dangerous Places to Live', Ep 1
Centralia, PA is a modern day ghost town with an ongoing underground inferno. Silent Hill was inspired by Centralia's plight. It was also a model for various movies that wanted to give a hell-like appearance in a ghost town.
There used to be a WARNING - DANGER sign posted here from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania stating that walking or driving in this area could result in serious injury or death; that dangerous gases are present and the ground is prone to sudden collapse.
Centralia was once a prosperous coal mining town with 1,100 population. It included 4 movie theatres, 7 bars, a school and a gas station.
In the spring of 1962, a fire which started at the town dump during spring cleanup ignited the coal present at the ground level as this area is very rich in coal. As firefighters worked to try and extinguish that fire, it had already spread to the underground abandoned coal tunnels that are 100 meters in depth. After a couple of decades, attempts to put out the fire failed. State and federal authorities said they didn't have enough funding to do the job right. They tried digging up the coal around the burn site but it was burning faster than they could dig and there are too many tunnels too flood.
Approximately 450 acres of underground coal has been on fire since. This type of coal is called anthracite which is difficult to ignite, but very difficult to extinguish. There are 3000 acres of coal field here underground, so with enough oxygen feeding this fire from other mining tunnels, the fire is expected to last at least another 100-200 years, maybe longer. The temperature of the active burn area below ground is 1100-1200 degrees Farhenheit. Tests by scientists and geologists were done here that showed the ground temperature to be around 440 degrees Celsius a foot into the ground.
With the threats of hydrogen explosions, carbon monoxide and cave-ins, most residents were relocated in the 80s. The houses were then torn down leaving approximately 11 people behind who refused to evacuate despite the danger and risks involved such as dangerous gasses, explosions and sink holes. The ground beneath could collapse and has done so already. Looking down the now-empty streets, you can see that nature has reclaimed her land, albeit, a dangerous one. Buildings, cars and trees can fall into this pit at any time.
The old Hwy 61 that used to bring traffic to Centralia has been destroyed by the underground fire. It is constantly subsiding with smoke usually billowing out from the pits and separations that will continue to get wider and deeper day-by-day. This is called subsidence. This is due to the coal seams the run below ground at steep angles which cause the road above ground to collapse as the coal burns.
According to engineers, the only way to stop this fire is to dig the entire 3000 acres of coal field under this town and surrounding area. This would cost $600 million which is more than the US governments were willing to pay.
Ironically, a small town just south of Centralia, Byrnesville (of all names) was also evacuated and now empty. Mostly coal miners resided here of an Irish-Catholic desent. Both Centralia and Byrnesville were a tight-knit community, and many did not want to leave.
There is a time capsule that still lies buried in the ground in Centralia. This was set up as a memorial for the working class town to be opened in 2016 which would be Centralia's 150th Anniversary. Whether the residents return to open it on that date is yet to be seen.
The Weather Channel selected portions of this video for their "Most Toxic Ghost Towns" video. In case you're interested, here is the link:
www.weather.com/video/most-tox...
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[@BreannaMounceReadsandReviews]

My fiance and I went to visit Centralia about a week ago, we drove by the abandoned highway about six times before we found it. We also saw two more groups of tourists wanting to see it, which I was surprised. A couple actually drove their motorcycle down the road. Sadly, we didn't see any smoke coming out of the big crack, or smell anything. We did walk out far enough to notice our feet start to feel really hot (we were wearing TOMS) and we were sweating more than usual. It was a really cool site. What sold me on going was your video and a documentary I saw on here about the people who still live there. Got some sweet pictures out of it. :)

[@hobog]

I find this more interesting than Chernobyl at the moment. All you ghost town filmers in Centralia can immediately see symptoms of cause of town's evacuation: burning stuff. Chernobyl, you wouldn't want to wait around to film the symptoms.

[@shannonleigh9982]

I've seen various reports about this place on a number of different programs, but I learned more in your 8min+ video than in any of those other shows For example, I never knew about the time capsule or chapel until watching your vid. The info about the temperature at a depth of only 12 inches juxtaposed w/ the images of the cemetery is mind boggling. It's macabre, but one has to wonder about those interred in that cemetery...at depths of 5 to 6 feet down...

[@ryanstroup1184]

We used to drive through this town on the way to our cabin, always seemed pretty creepy. My family used to tell us it was called transylvania, and I believed them. Lol

[@TikiTrex]

I would love to come back in 2016 to see if they do return to the time capsule. Thanks to you and everyone for your awesome comments and support! I greatly appreciate it! :)

[@voyager0156]

It was reopened Oct 4, 2014. Sadly some of the items were water damaged.

[@windymoore4009]

Seeing this video makes me wish I could go there and check it out. Fantastic footage and awesome narration. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks for the nice comment, Windy. It is an interesting place for sure.

[@JeffDeWitt]

Nice video, thanks, and the thermometer was a nice touch. About 10 or 15 years ago I was driving through Pennsylvania, pretty much wandering around and seeing what I could see. Was just driving along a highway (61?) when I noticed odd things like no traffic and grass growing through the expansion joints. Then a sign put me on a detour that was a much narrower road apparently built for the purpose. Then I drove into town and it was like driving into the Twilight Zone. Streets and sidewalks, but only about two buildings and it was obvious where houses used to be. (It looks like it's grown up a lot since then). At first I had no idea what was going on... towns don't normally just disappear, but as I thought about it a faint memory came up. I asked someone in the next town about it and she confirmed what I remembered about Centralia and that really was the place. Finding that place by accident is one of the creepier expediences I've had.

[@abandonedsc4261]

I've seen a few videos on this town, but this I think was the best one. Very informative and well captured. Thanks for posting it. I do enjoy your videos.

[@bxx32]

Really great coverage of this area Tiki. The video was interesting, entertaining, and informative. Thanks so much for making it!

[@hollynoel57]

Very interesting video! Your videos, in my opinion, are by far, the best abandoned place videos on You Tube. I always look forward to your next one. :)

[@ArtistChibi]

I was born and raised in PA and gone on road trips across the state, yet I never knew this place existed until last night. .-. Damn, I need to make a trip to Centralia. More specifically on 2016. :D

[@themetalguitarist1980]

Not 2016 it has to burn for 250 years

[@ArtistChibi]

minecraftman34489 There is a time capsule that is supposed to be opened on 2016. I want to see it when it is opened.

[@kaylprev]

i was born and raised here to *high five* :D

[@rebeccawolfe590]

Atisuto Chibi whats sopposed to be in it?

[@ArtistChibi]

Rebecca Wolfe I don't remember what the info said, but I wanna go to see it opened. I never been to the opening of a time capsule. I know of them is a miner's lamp.

[@quincy8557]

Another great video. Thank you for posting them.

[@aubiejazz]

I watched your interview on "72 Dangerous Places to Live" and I think you did an excellent job. It looked like they even used your video footage. Looks like that is a real hot place to live. Thanks!

[@nathanforester5993]

I found just recently this was the partial inspiration for the movie Nothing But Trouble and the town of Valkanvania.

[@jphritz011]

Great video!!! Nice coverage/filming work.

[@kellysnow1498]

Awesome video and neat history on the town. I saw this clip and immediately the movie silent Hill came to mind it's always interesting to know that most of our Movies are really based on either true events or real places. Keep up the great work ☺

[@bethanytrick7634]

This is really cool. I had seen video on this location before, but your video seems to be more detailed. Thanks!

[@StivNagen]

Another awesome video, Tiki!

[@craftyrats]

Another excellent tour. Love all your vids. Thanks so much for sharing with us less fortunate that don't have the ability to explore for ourselves. Your videos are the next best thing.

[@jaynelson8450]

This one is awesome! I really love your videos, so interesting, but I'm always waiting for something crazy to show itself! Be safe!

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks, Ben! I really enjoyed making this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well.

[@TheSpazModic]

Fascinating, Tiki. I've heard about this place, but never looked into it. Stay safe!

[@TheAdrien001]

Awesome! Nice video!! I can't wait to go with a small portion of my team

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

Just found your videos today & 'thanks' for doing it right! No stupid music. No dazzling (aka garbage) effects. No rifling through people's past to take home & sell. Just a very cool exploration & 'come along with me' narration of some random & interesting spots. Thanks.

[@justmissjamey]

thank you for doing this one. I have recently seen a show about it on the history channel, and I thought they were making it up lol, super interesting and once again we never know where your adventure is going to take is :) you should really email some productions and show them your channel and videos. it would be amazing to watch you with your own tv show. im quite sure MANY people would watch!!!!

[@Kittydoc90]

A well narrated and presented video, Pam-thank you. I watched a really good hour-long documentary on KZbin last night about the town-a lot of interviews with former residents and home movies of parades and picnics-what a lovely place this was! It's hard to picture when all that's left now is rocky ground and trees and emptiness. Very sad. Apparently the owner of the town gas station discovered Centralia's, um, "problem" when he noticed the dipstick seemed warm when he was checking the fuel level of the station's tank-can you imagine how he felt?? Wow! So your temperature probing was very pertinent and enlightening. I think I'd like to explore there myself sometime soon... Again, thanks!

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks so much, Cristina! This one was a very fun one to do, and very educational for myself. I can imagine how he felt when he noticed the warm dipstick. That must have been quite shocking and a little unnerving to wonder why that would be. Especially dealing with gas. It was a long drive from me to get there, but well-worth it for sure!

[@clownsin2]

I hope someone recordes them opening the time capsule

[@TaGTiana]

Unfortunately, haven't found anything till now! They opened it 2 years earlier, in 2014!

[@kellyfugate6799]

strange that there is no other date on the opening other than 2016 , I don't know how miss this vid, and thanks for taking the time

[@GrowlyBear917]

I took a picture of the road sign at the edge of town in 1980, back when they had big plywood signs. "BOROUGH OF CENTRALIA" and in the middle of the bottom part of the sign, someone placed a bumper sticker that says "We Burn Coal".

[@TheHHilton]

Wow, this is really neat! Great video!

[@griffinartandairbrushing3174]

Nice video! Looks like a good place to take a bike. As always you do a great job narrating these. Thank you.

[@pennywillis9258]

Great video!! My husband and I were in Centralia back in April. It is a very interesting place to visit, I would like to go back there and explore some more.

[@felinefever2]

Wow - never heard about this till I saw it on the weather channel with a link to you. You're a great reporter! Thanks a lot!

[@RRFlynn]

Very well done! Thank you for sharing this :)

[@EphemeralProductions]

interesting and VERY good video! You did this one like an ace! Was interesting to see those hot and hissy steam vents.

[@12345656370]

There are a thousand vids on this , but a fresh look is always nice.

[@BucketListBadass]

My state and never knew this. Thanks for taking the time to educate. Good vid.

[@lobsterbox20]

Tiki, you are seriously my hero. I love urban exploration. I love ghost towns. I'm so happy that Urbex has blossomed into the movement that it is today. It seemed that 5 years ago there was nothing of the sort on youtube, it was all so vague. Now there is content all over, I can't get enough of it, and your channel is the best one I've come across. You are respectful and thorough in your investigations, you engage your viewers i.e. "I wonder what this is/what do you think?" and you always make sure that those who view through the camera lens get to see absolutely everything with full panning shots of rooms, good lighting, close ups, etc. Furthermore, your pacing is perfect. You never just run through a house, you always pay the same attention to each room and you always make sure to keep the viewer aware of your position in the house relative to other rooms. Beforehand, I was under the impression that my desire to explore abandoned structures with camera equipment was merely a childish whim. Your videos are mainly what connected me with the true intentions of urbex; to explore and document the forsaken structures of mankind. I was inspired by you to take a step and go on my own urbex adventure. I haven't uploaded it yet, but I am super excited to share it when the time is right.

[@TikiTrex]

lobsterbox20 Thank you so much for your kind words and high praise. It's very much appreciated. I'm glad to have been an inspiration to get you started in your own exploration videos and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

[@lynnen264]

Fascinating and yet sad.....love your exploring!

[@ginamaria2579]

Awesome thanks Tiki another great video ...

[@DieHard90sKid]

Wow this is awesome! Thanks for posting this! I found this very interesting, scary and educational :-) . I'm so curious about the time capsule though.

[@rayzhistorychannel]

Great video. I've been fascinated by this place for awhile.

[@animeamy1]

Awesome video. I had no idea that such a place existed AND that Silent Hill was inspired by it. So creepy, but interesting! Love it! ♥♥

[@Theblood-ke1xz]

Hey guys I love the video I was born and raised in centtrilia and I went through the woods with my friends we were playing hide n seek after we got outta school next day woke up I cried my mom said we got to evacuate the area ASAP

[@jpamusher]

A nice informative video. I just read about this place in Bill Bryson`s book about the Appalachian Trail. I hike sections of the AT in PA frequently and really should visit Centralia. Thanks for posting this!

[@kingofthecatnap7923]

Thank you. Lot's of info included. Excellent!

[@79pretzel]

Excellent video; have traveled a lot of Penn over the years however, never did get to stop and explore Centrailia

[@Cindy7777777]

Very cool video. I saw someone else do a video of the same place but wasn't near as interesting as yours!!! Good job!!! I loved it even though it's a very sad looking place!!!!

[@divorcedty]

Excellent video. Thank you for very good information. Well done!

[@IKS-Exploration]

Nice video, thanks for sharing

[@joannesabourin1108]

Loved this one of centralia -- it is the best I've seen, thanks so much for sharing!

[@christielynn5796]

Good video Tiki, so interesting! ! :)

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Great video, I always wanted to go there, thank you for sharing

[@bellasinister5743]

With winter coming to the northwoods, I can't help but think this place would be nicer in wintertime. :) Another fine video, always interesting narration.

[@MisterStifler]

Awesome video! I was looking for a video like this on KZbin, but all I got was (or were? Idk) a couple of dull documentaries.

[@kellyashland379]

your info is pretty good, but the town dump was an old stripping pit. and back in the day it was common for small towns to dump their garbage in them. Centralia did this for years and about once a year they would set it on fire to reduce the size and smell but unknown to them there was a vein of coal exposed at the bottom of the pit and when the local FD hosed the fire it didnt go out completely and they went back i be leave a day or 2 later but it was to late. and the vents were put in to monitor how far and where the fire was (something like 70 vents). inadvertently feeding fuel (oxygen) to the fire. the time capsule was buried in 1966 (on the 100th anniversary of the town) a 50 year time capsule.. up date the last few people who live there right now ''only'' have the right to live there until they die. once the last house hold member dies the house will be torn down and belong to the state or US government.

[@RandallMoore1955]

Thanks for taking your time to walk through do this video, I thank i just might tag along and see what else you might find of interest.

[@57HarleyDavidson]

BAMR DEP Stands for Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Department

[@TikiTrex]

That does sound interesting. I'm going to look it up. Thanks for sharing that information with us.

[@Nam3Iess]

Wow, I've just learned from this. It was a nice and infromative video. Thank you!

[@ChristianSonic]

Não sabia da Historia dessa Cidade, fiquei sabendo ontem.... Muito interessante e Macabra.....

[@AbandonedMines11]

Nice job! I grew up in Indiana County but never made it over to Centralia. After watching your video, I'd like to go back there and check it out.

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks! I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's a great place. I love watching your abandoned mine explorations, btw! I was hoping to check some out while in the area, but I wasn't there long enough.

[@jaynareynolds3684]

Well done video. You have good presentation skills and you should do more informative work like this.

[@kardro1]

Very interesting! I just heard about this town the other day and now I found your great video.

[@asterickjones]

I was fascinated and saddened!

[@SnowWolvesStorm]

Thank you so much for this video! I have wanted to see this town for so long after hearing all the stories. Now I feel like I have at least gotten to see it before there's nothing left of it. Pretty creepy about that cemetery though most of those people buried are probably now cremated!

[@TikiTrex]

You're very welcome, Theresa! And you are probably right about the cremation!

[@cathyreardon8979]

@@TikiTrex Tiki thanks for this interesting tour. I believe I've heard of this before. God Bless and Be Safe🙏 Cathy🌻 Ohio,🇺🇸

[@eventoftheday...3711]

Incredible story and very nicely made video. Fascinating stuff.

[@Agricamppicobellominicamping]

incredible story

[@BevRants]

This was brilliant to watch! I'd never even heard of this until reading an article online and thought "hmm, someone on youtube has to have been there" and low and behold, someone has... thanks!

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks for the nice comment! I'm glad you enjoyed. :)

[@BevRants]

***** It was just a brilliant intoduction to it all and of course a tour too, can't wait to see your other work :)

[@TomElvisSmith]

Tonight, I read about Centralia in the March 1991 issue of National Lampoon. It was featured in the column, "Don't Go There" and I wanted to confirm that it is a real place. I suspected that it was, and lo and behold, here it is. It was reported that the population was around 100 people at the time. An impromptu interview was held with one of the older residents as well.

[@myboringadventures]

As a kid, I'd go thru Centralia once or twice a year on our way to a local amusement park. And each year you'd see how much the town dwindled as homes and businesses were boarded up or town down. The remaining residents just won the legal right to stay on their properties until they die. So I'm sure there will be a celebration and opening of that time capsule in 2016. Great video by the way.

[@carolehayden8566]

Another perfect vid. You are a wealth of info. Thanks again. Centralia haunts me. Love the church and Oddfellow's cemetery. New American flags as well.

[@indianapwnz9328]

I enjoyed this, looks like a truly eerie place, thanks for sharing :)

[@TikiTrex]

Thanks, Steve! You certainly don't deserve dislikes, either, as your work is top-notch. That is exactly what they are, just trolls and haters with nothing better to do. That dislike button should be removed as it's just a tool for them to play with.

[@Jersey2tall86]

Thanks for posting this very interesting video. I visited there in the late 1990's after I had met a friend who lived in Shamokin who told me about it in the mid 90's. I just found the whole thing entirely fascinating, but did not understand how the fire started until you explained it. I understand Centralia proper stopped burning about a decade ago, but the area east of the abandoned town is now burning, obviously following the vein.

[@BlueNeonLites]

Anyway, this was a very cool video. I grew up hearing about all the problems and issues coming out of Centralia. The residents fought very hard to stay, but many left when they knew they couldn't get much money for their property and concerns for their safety. (By the way, if you go through central and northeastern PA, you may see things named "Black Diamond". It's the name locals give to anthracite coal.) I hope you come back to PA, because there are many cool eerie places there!!!

[@gordonmcghie1944]

I remember first hearing about this town around the time they made the Silent Hill move. Nice video, would have loved to have seen more of what remains of the residential area.

[@DJBJR1970]

Man your Awesome!!! I love your work all the info is fantastic! You travel to do this? Aren't you from Canada? Pretty Cool.

[@superhextremejj]

Great video!

[@tin-panpoesy715]

You were extremely prepared and completely covered the underground coal mine burning in PA, that i had no idea existed ! Your work is more than entertaining, its educational !

[@TikiTrex]

Thank you!

[@Salicath1]

I wrote too Denmarks local news, about your youtube channel, and the Centralia, PA history Really great channel, extremely exiting to watch :) Hope you will keep making videos, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! :D

[@TikiTrex]

Thank you so much! Very much appreciated, and I'm glad you enjoy my channel! :)

[@OriginalMindTrick]

Fizz TheTidalTrickster Did you get any response from the Danish local news?

[@Salicath1]

***** Unfortunately i didn't. But i am pretty sure they read it, they are just busy with different stuff.

[@Tylerl128]

Awesome Video! Thumbs Up

[@jonathancrane13]

Great video, eerie location.

[@devonsteinke]

You have a wonderful vocabulary.

[@TikiTrex]

Thank you, Devon.

[@Fenikkusuuk]

This was extremely interesting. I thank you for sharing this oddity with us. I wish something could be done to clean this environmental hazard up. Can't help but wonder about how far the veins of coal may extend... and therefore how far the fire will travel. it's definitely time to be more responsible about cleaning up after ourselves! I have that exact thermometer. It's very accurate. This was incredibly interesting thank you very much!

[@nikhasor]

the time capsule is opened exactly one year after you posted this video on October 4th 2014

[@zxlns1066]

I've been the that cemetery! We went at night. Took us 3 hours to get there. We also saw the church. Had no luck finding the old highway :( we were so close! Just couldn't find it in the dark.

[@zxlns1066]

+Adam T. I think I know exactly what you're talking about and we probably drove past it 3 times lol

[@sydneytrainsvlogs]

This is very interesting, thank you very much for sharing :)

[@donnamullikin620]

you did a great job with this video, i enjoyed it.

[@TikiTrex]

Thank you, Donna!

[@lionel2768]

Great documentary!!! thank you for all the information...

[@Wistful77]

Kudos -unique video of this well known place!

[@432b86ed]

I must add a "thank you" for *_not_* adding music... intriguing story - well narrated .

[@trevmac8362]

Well we're living here in Allentown And they're closing all the factories down Out in Bethlehem they're killing time Filling out forms Standing in line

[@roblamastus]

Why isn't this the number 1 comment!

[@Amidst84]

thanks for your knowledgeable insight about this interesting place TikiTrex :)

[@KenNickels]

Creepy. The crickets must like the heat.

[@genedavis101]

Interesting place, saw a documentary on it not to long ago... Really sad! Great video!

[@michaelmayer3359]

Good video Pam. Another fine example of a small human mistake impacting the planet for generations. One day I hope to be able to find the time to do videos as I have been too busy to make it happen at this time. I do appreciate your efforts as well as the quality of filming.

[@Clblackburn1969]

Very interesting. Worth waiting on 2016... Great video

[@KimberlyKilleri]

This is my favorite video out of all of them!!!

[@hildcit]

This was really cool :I didn't know that it could burn underground that long... And btw what did you use to film so smooth?? Did you just hold the camera, or did you use any device?

[@harugushken2843]

Thanks for sharing!

[@maryannschweikert3149]

I live near Centralia and it is dangerous to walk around there. Before the town was evacuated a 12 year old boy was playing in his Grandmothers back yard and a subsidence occurred and he had to grab the edge of the hole to save his life. The hole was 200 to300 feet deep. Methane, a poison gas, was seeping into people's homes. I would not take the chance of walking around there for fear the ground would give way. Glad Tiki remained safe. This is an interesting place.