Centralia mine fire

Centralia Mine Fire is like a never-ending bonfire that started in a very big hole in the ground where people used to dig for coal so long ago that by now it's older than your grandparents! The fire got started because somebody didn't put out one of the fires in the mine properly, and it spread very quickly.

Now, remember when you went camping and your parents told you to never leave the campfire unattended? If the campfire isn't properly put out, it can spread and burn everything in its path. That's what happened with the Centralia Mine Fire - it wasn't put out properly, and it's been burning for almost 60 years! That's older than your parents!

The fire is still burning today, and it has caused a lot of damage. The heat from the fire caused roads to crack, and sometimes, hot air comes out of the ground, which can make people sick. Some houses have even collapsed because the fire weakened the ground beneath them. That's like when you build a sandcastle and the water comes and washes it away because the sand gets too wet and unstable.

Because of the Centralia Mine Fire, the people who lived there had to move away to stay safe. Now, there are only a few people left living there, and it's not safe to go there and play because of the fire, so it's better to stay away. Remember, never leave a fire unattended!