1. The culprits are the small coal-fired kilns which have been operated privately and indiscriminately. The underground tunnels of small abandoned coal kilns have wind and oxygen, making them the best channels for fires to spread. (There are three conditions for the formation of a fire, 1. Materials promoting combustion 2. Reaching the point of ignition 3. Combustible materials.)
2. Natural formation, as coal is found in certain areas. a shallower surface and certain areas on the ground provide conditions for oxygen to come into contact with the coal.
Coal itself will ignite slowly and spontaneously at around 40 degrees Celsius, and in places where temperatures are such, underground coal fires will occur.
Jharia, a small town in the northeastern Indian state of Jharkhand, is located in a resource-rich area, but it shas suffered underground coal fires for 99 years. Coal fires continue to release toxic smoke into the air, causing alarming deaths among area residents from respiratory and skin diseases. But for the locals, it's their home.
Since 1916, more than 70 coal fires have burned underground in Gallia. At that time, a coal mine collapsed and caused a fire. After decades of efforts, the Indian government failed to extinguish the coal fire, so the entire city of Gallia now presents a hellish scene.
There is a surprising amount of coal hidden beneath the city of Gallia. An underground coal fire created a massive sinkhole 20 years ago and engulfed 250 homes in four hours. Additionally, toxic gases, including sulfur and carbon, have become part of daily life for local residents.
Coal fires continue to release ftoxic fumes in the air, causing many residents to die from respiratory and skin diseases at an alarming rate.
These toxic gases are causing many residents to die from respiratory and skin diseases. . Local residents and children earn their living by extracting lumps of coal from the hot earth every day and selling them in the local market.