Fire Underground: The Ongoing Tragedy Of The Centralia Mine Fire

Being a resident of southeast Pennsylvania for close to six decades, I was somewhat familiar with the Centralia saga—or so I thought. While I have been witness to many things of a political nature, I had no idea that things were as bad as they were in Centralia and that the citizens had been treated so badly by local, state, and federal officials. This book really opened my eyes to the facts regarding Centralia as well as giving credence to something I have always believed—any time someone makes the statement “I’m from the government and I’m here to help,” brace your self and hold on tight, because whatever happens, it’s going to hurt!Ironically, there are a few less-than-glowing reviews on this book, stating that there is too much detail or that it’s too political. Obviously, some folks missed the entire point. If this story had been about a mine fire that had been extinguished and everyone lived happily ever after in Centralia, then there would be no story! It’s all of the facts highlighted in this book that make the Centralia story what it is. There have been countless mine fires over the years, but the dishonesty, incompetence, and indifference of the politicians toward the citizens is what sets this fire apart from others.Mr. DeKok has obviously spent countless hours of research and interviews over several decades and has done an excellent job presenting what I believe to be an unbiased account of a tragedy that has negatively affected many people. Yes, it’s true that there many players in this story (I read it twice just to absorb it all!), but it is a story that has gone on for many, many years and continues to this day. This is a great book and you will not be disappointed.On a personal note: I feel that Mr. DeKok has done a great job of respectfully paying homage to a town and its people that once existed. Other works—whether they are a movie, an online video, or a video game, have really sensationalized the incidents surrounding Centralia and thereby have turned it into a strange sort of attraction. Ironically, other than a damaged stretch of highway, there really isn’t much to see. Everything is gone. I occasionally have reason to travel through this part of the state, and it is sad to see what people have done to this land. If one still feels compelled to go there, please do so with a little reverence. This was once the home of many people and, more importantly, is the final resting place of many of those same people. Please show a little respect and leave the four-wheelers and the spray paint at home.

Spent summers there years ago and my grandparents are buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

DeKok, D. (2010). Fire underground: The ongoing tragedy of the Centralia mine fire. GPP.Born in Harrisburg, PA, David Dekok writes narrative non-fiction about small American towns, their people, and their crises.In May 1962, a municipal cleanup project in Centralia, Pennsylvania "went horribly wrong and resulted in a fire that spread into a labyrinth of abandoned anthracite coal mines." The fire continues burning today. Residents started experiencing the affects of the poisonous gases which started a long journey finally ending in the state declaring eminent domain and relocation of most residents. While there is some disagreement about the start, Dekok wrote that it started with an attempt to clean up the city's landfill. The fire created intense heat and poisonous gases. Maurice K. Goddard, secretary of the PA Department of Environment Resources wrote in 1977, "Mine fires are most difficult to extinguish by merely cutting off the oxygen supply. . . The only certain method of extinguishment is compete excavation of the burning material." This difficulty combined with lack of ownership for the problem, state bureaucracy, inexperience, strong egos, differing technological opinions, and high costs associated with proposed actions.For other examples: Love Canal, New York, Times Beach Missouri, Salton Sea, etc.

I decided recently to do a photo essay on Centralia, and so I wanted to learn as much as I could about the town before starting the project. Mr. DeKok's book was the first I read, and set a very high bar for those that followed. He's covered the story of Centralia since the late 1970s. He lives in the area. This man knows what he's talking about, and backs it all up with facts. It's packed to the gills with information, but reads like a thriller. I couldn't put it down.I initially borrowed the book from my local library, but after checking it out three times to double-check information and re-read passages, I felt like I was stealing, and so I bought a copy of my own from Amazon. I've since re-read the entire book cover-to-cover in preparation for a return visit.Anyone with a love for history will appreciate this book, but if you're planning on visiting Centralia, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't read this. It completely changed how I approached my project, and will no doubt enhance your visit as well.

I live in PA about 50 miles from Centralia where this fiasco took place. It is a true story. I was very young when this began. During my life there were occasional local newspaper articles about what has been done, and how the fire started. The book digs into the background on the political goings-on and the efforts that were done in futile attempts to put the fire out. The book describes the affect the fire had on the lives of the people whose homes were in the vicinity of the underground coal fire.

Interesting topic, but the writing's a little dry. I found it hard to keep track of the literal dozens of names and acronyms of involved parties and agencies, but the included glossary does help.

Excellently written and researched, I literally could not put this book down. David DeKok is a journalist local to the Centralia area and has been reporting on the unfolding story there for many years. The author has used official documents as well as interviews with residents, officials and others who played a part in the Centralia slow-motion disaster.Don't miss the map of the town just inside the title page - it's very helpful as you read.

The story of a real-life disaster for a whole town in modern America. An underground fire that could have been stopped had pride not blinded common sense. The effects pervaded the fabric of the town gradually and insidiuosly, until a point of no-return was reached and family by family the town faded.Well written and the facts of the story laid plain. A rivetting read.

Great book, interesting read

rubbish to much detail