Centralia\, Pennsylvania was in most aspec ts a picture perfect town - the single exception being the blight of the t own's trash dump. A 300 by 75 foot eyesore\, the citizens had grown tired of its image clashing with their lovely community. It was on May 27 of 196 2 that the decision of the Town Council to light the dump on fire (in an a ttempt to make it disappear for the upcoming Memorial Day festivities) was put into effect. What they most likely (although that is debated) did not know is that the dump was atop a gigantic coal seam - and numerous fires soon began sprouting up throughout town. Accompanied by cave ins and toxic gases\, Centralia's residents soon found their dream community becoming a nightmare. But\, as many scientists and activists fought for closure of t he town\; many residents still fought to keep it open\, asserting that the y had a right to their property and that the area shouldn't be closed. Som e asserted that the fires were left ongoing in an attempt to access minera l resources.
\nWhich side of the story is correct? Or are things som ewhere in the middle?
\nCentralia\, a modern day ghost town\, is sti ll occupied by the stalwart few who will not leave. They are subject to ga wkers who risk arrest\, by local and volunteer police. It was only in 2013 \, that the people who still live in Centralia\, won their battle to stay there with the added agreement that when the last remaining citizen is dec eased\, the town and its land will be state property via eminent domain.&n bsp\;
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