New York State Police are investigating after four firefighters and a pastor were injured in an explosion at the Abundant Life Fellowship church in Boonville, New York.
Church leaders said their pastor and a congregation member were at the building and called first responders just before 10:30 a.m. local time to report “an obvious gas leak.”
The preliminary investigation indicates four people were in the church’s basement when the furnace activated, triggering an explosion, according to the New York State Police.
A Boonville firefighter was on the first floor attempting to ventilate the building at the time of the explosion and was thrown against a wall.
EXPLOSION AT PENNSYLVANIA SENIOR HOME PROMPTS MASS CASUALTY RESPONSE
Authorities said five people were taken to the hospital and are all listed in critical, but stable condition.
They have been identified as: Boonville Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr., 60; Abundant Life Fellowship pastor Brandon Pitts, 43; Boonville firefighter Allan Austin, 67; Boonville firefighter Nicholas Amicucci, 43; and Boonville firefighter Richard Czajka, 71.
New York State Police said the church sustained “catastrophic damage” and is considered destroyed.
Church leaders noted the building, which was reportedly heated by propane cylinders, was nearly fully engulfed in flames and smoke within 15 minutes of the explosion.
Officials said there is no indication of criminal activity, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation are present at the hospitals and at the scene, along with Uniform Force personnel.
“Please just pray for peace, especially for Pastor Brandon and MaeLeah,” the church wrote in a Facebook post. “And go ahead and lift a lot of praise for the Lord’s protection over all the things NOT happening at church at the time of this emergency.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to the tragedy on social media, noting she has been briefed.
“State Fire, EMS, and Office of Emergency Management personnel are on the scene,” Hochul wrote in an X post. “Praying for the full recovery of the five individuals injured.”
New York State Police and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
