by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
BOONVILLE, USA (Worthy News) – A pastor and five others, including firefighters, were recovering from their injuries Wednesday after a massive explosion ripped through a church in the U.S. state of New York, officials said.
New York State Police said they were investigating the blast, which sent thick plumes of black smoke into the air around 10:30 a.m. local time at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville, a village of about 2,000 people.
The church, located in rural Oneida County about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Syracuse — a mid-sized city in upstate New York — was heated by propane, according to troopers.
The injured pastor and firefighters had responded to a report of a strong gas odor inside the building before the explosion occurred, officials said.
PROPANE LEAK BELIEVED TO HAVE CAUSED BLAST
Investigators later determined that a damaged propane fuel line caused the explosion. Authorities said heavy snow had caused part of the roof to sag, compromising the propane line and allowing gas to accumulate inside the structure.
When the furnace activated, the gas ignited, triggering what officials described as a “catastrophic” blast that destroyed much of the church building.
“There is no indication of criminal activity,” New York State Police said in a statement, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
FIVE INJURED, INCLUDING PASTOR AND FIRE CHIEF
Among those injured were the church’s pastor, Brandon Pitts, 43; Boonville Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr., 60; and three firefighters — Nicholas Amicucci, 43, Richard Czajka, 71, and Allan Austin, 67 — authorities confirmed.
Officials said all five were transported to regional hospitals and were listed in serious or critical condition following the blast, though some were later reported to be stable.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said, “Our thoughts are especially with the Boonville firefighters and church members who were injured. I commend the bravery and professionalism of our first responders who rushed toward danger to protect others.”
CHURCH COMMUNITY RESPONDS WITH FAITH
Abundant Life Fellowship Church is a small evangelical congregation serving residents in and around Boonville. Footage from the scene, obtained by Worthy News, showed extensive structural damage, with large sections of the building reduced to rubble.
However, church deacon Terry Hitt told local media, “God’s going to take care of us … This is just … a building … So we can rebuild and keep going. And there’s a lot of unity in this village and this community.”
A church member identified as Lydia wrote on social media that the injured had suffered burns but expressed optimism, saying, “They have burns that need medical attention, but I think everyone will be just fine physically.”
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as crews continue to assess the damage.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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