Centralia Fire: A 60-Year Arson Mystery Unraveled

In a recent video from the Sasquatch and Sourdough Podcast, hosts Christina and April from Crime to Burn discuss the mysterious fire that has been burning in Centralia, Pennsylvania for over 60 years. The fire, which started in an old strip mine, has been the subject of much speculation and debate over the years. April, a fire protection engineer and firefighter, brings a unique perspective to the case. She explains that the most prevalent theory is that the city council approved lighting a fire in a trash dump to handle smells and rodents before a Memorial Day Parade. However, the dump was located in an old strip mine with openings leading to underground mine tunnels. These openings were supposed to have been sealed up, but it is believed that they were not, leading to the spread of the fire. Christina and April also discuss the environmental impact of the fire, as well as the impact on the residents of Centralia. The fire has caused the ground to become unstable, leading to the evacuation of most of the town. However, a few residents have chosen to stay, living in the shadow of the ever-burning fire. One resident, who lives in an abandoned church turned home outside of Centralia, told April that there were five residents in the town as of the 2020 census. However, it is unclear how many residents still remain. The video is a fascinating look into the history and mystery of Centralia, and the potential criminal implications of the fire. I am always interested in learning more about the unknown and the unexplained. The Centralia fire is certainly a strange and intriguing phenomenon, and one that continues to baffle and captivate people to this day. I highly recommend checking out the video for more information on this fascinating case.