The Jharia coalfield fire is believed to have started in 1916, though some accounts suggest earlier origins. Initial causes are attributed to careless mining practices, including unscientific methods of extraction and lack of proper ventilation in the underground mines. These factors allowed spontaneous combustion of coal seams to occur, igniting the vast reserves beneath the surface. Over the decades, the fire has spread extensively, consuming millions of tons of coal and releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. Efforts to extinguish the fire have been largely unsuccessful due to the scale and complexity of the underground inferno. The fires have displaced communities, caused environmental damage, and continue to pose significant challenges to the region. The history of Jharia is intertwined with the story of coal mining and its devastating consequences.