Deep in Pennsylvania sits a ghost town swallowed by fire, silence, and rumor. Centralia was once a normal mining community filled with families, shops, and church bells. Today, only steam vents, ...

Nearly 20 years after a mine fire ignited under Centralia, Pa., residents who still lived in the town had a dilemma on their hands: should they take a $25 million federal buyout or try to dig up part ...