Centralia City—or perhaps it should be called Centralia Town—was located in Pennsylvania, North America. It had been established in 1866.
It had originally been a mining site, but gradually developed into a small coal-mining town with a population of several thousand.
In 1962, workers accidentally set an anthracite seam on fire while burning waste at an open-pit mine. Part of the vast coal deposit lay directly beneath the town. Once ignited, the flames spread into nearby seams, eventually causing a massive underground coal fire.
The fire raged underground, causing the temperature at the town's surface to soar. Toxic gases spewed from below, forcing the workers and residents to flee. In the end, the entire town was abandoned.
That was what Fang Cheng had casually learned online, but it was only the official account. Many rumors about Centralia Town also circulated privately.
One story claimed that the fire hadn't been accidentally started by workers at all. Instead, the coal mine had accidentally broken through into Hell, and Hell's flames had devoured the town.
Another rumor claimed the mine had been a gathering place for a cult. Its members had hidden there to perform a ritual summoning demons, ultimately bringing one into the world.
There were all sorts of claims online about what had caused the fire. The only thing they agreed on was that something was definitely wrong with the place, and it couldn't have been as simple as an accident.
After the fire broke out, the government immediately sealed off Centralia Town, barring anyone from entering or leaving.
The blockade remained in place for years before gradually easing. Many bounty hunters and explorers entered Centralia Town after hearing about it, but none ever made it out alive.
The town had become a death zone where no living person could venture.