HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An underground fire fueled by coal and insulated by glass has been burning near the former Westmoreland Glass plant in Hempfield Township since March. Firefighters and township officials are monitoring the site daily to prevent the blaze from spreading.
Property owner Will Shay says a lightning strike ignited the subterranean fire. Heat levels at the surface have reached up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, causing cracks and sinkholes to form across the property.
The fire is burning approximately 10 to 20 feet below the surface, which is covered in coal and glass. The coal continues to feed the fire, while the glass acts as an insulator that keeps heat trapped underground. Smoke continues to pour from holes in the ground and trees on the property have fallen as their roots burn beneath the surface.
Shay warned that the ground conditions pose severe physical risks to anyone on the site.
“There are dangers here. A sinkhole could open, there are cracks that have opened and this fire is hot!” Shay said.
He urged community members to stay away from the land and the adjacent glass plant for their own safety.
The Hempfield Township Fire Department visits the property daily to ensure the smoldering blaze remains contained. Local officials have assisted Shay by moving clay to fill one section of the burning ground, and Shay expressed hope that the entire area will be covered.
Shay acknowledged the complexity of extinguishing the underground blaze while working with township officials.
“It’s not anything that is spreading overnight, but there is absolutely a concern and everybody wants to get it out,” Shay said. “This is far more technical than what I understand and I know those folks are working on taking care of this permanently.”
To prevent public access, warning signs have been posted across the property.
“If you look at the signs around here, it says serious injury or death and that’s no joke,” Shay said. “That’s not downplaying anything. It’s very serious.”
Pennsylvania State Police have placed the property on active patrol, conducting daily checks to prevent trespassing.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has inspected the property several times to evaluate potential environmental impacts. However, agency officials stated they cannot comment further because the property is currently involved in active litigation before the Environmental Hearing Board.
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