Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Centralia Pennsylvania fire started on the 27th of May 1962 when firefighters set a dump fire that was not fully extinguished. An unsealed opening in the pit allowed the fire to enter the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines beneath Centralia.
As of 2020, only five residents remain in the borough of Centralia Pennsylvania. Residents John Comarnisky and John Lokitis Jr were evicted in May and July 2009 respectively leaving the current population.
Centralia Pennsylvania was abandoned because an underground mine fire starting in 1962 created sinkholes and lethal carbon monoxide plumes. The U.S. Congress allocated more than $42 million for relocation efforts in 1983 and Governor Bob Casey invoked eminent domain on all property in 1992.
Pennsylvania Route 61 became known as Graffiti Highway after smoke and steam caused extensive cracking in the pavement leading to frequent closure. Access berms were placed at both ends of the former route in April 2020 effectively blocking off the area permanently to vehicular traffic.
Alexander Rae laid out streets and lots for development before the town reached its maximum population of 2,761 residents by 1890. The Lehigh and Mahanoy Railroad was constructed to Centralia in 1865 enabling transport and expansion of coal sales.