Please 23 points In 1984, the US Congress intervened. It appropriated $42 million for the State of Pennsylvania to buy homes from Centralia residents. Congress called this evacuation effort "voluntary acquisition" since the residents could choose not to sell their homes and remain in Centralia. Between 1985 and 1991, 545 residences and businesses were relocated. In 1992, the state government began condemning homes threatened by subsidence and noxious gases such as carbon monoxide. Some die-hard residents remained in Centralia, though. According to the state's Department of Environmental Protection, by 1996 Centralia's former population of 1,100 dropped to 46. The current population stands at around ten. The Ghost Town

7

Today, Centralia is an eerie ghost town. The wafting smoke and shifting soil are too dangerous for most to brave. The detour signs on Route 61 give no indication of the troubles in Centralia; most cars just veer around the smoldering town. But for those who are fascinated by the fire, Centralia has become a sort of mecca. Tourists come to stare at the devastated landscape, and conspiracy theorists gather to share their outlandish ideas. Of the visitors, the researchers are the most hopeful. They study Centralia's soil, plants, and animals, and they believe that the effects of the fire will shed light upon the processes that created this planet. Though a terrible tragedy, the Centralia fire may someday lead to breakthroughs in science and technology.

Which sentence BEST summarizes paragraphs 6 and 7?

A.
The fire devastated the town of Centralia.

B.
The fire brought tourism to the town of Centralia.

C.
Congress had to evacuate the town due to the fire.

D.
Congress had to pay the people of Centralia a lot of money due to the fire.