New York church explosion injures five people

A pastor and four first responders were injured in an explosion at an upstate New York church on Tuesday morning, according to New York State Police. The injured included Abundant Life Pastor Brandon Pitts and Boonville Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr., along with Boonville firefighters Allan Austin, Nicholas Amicucci, and Richard Czajka. Hospital personnel described the victims in critical but stable condition.

What caused the explosion? Fire personnel responded to Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville, N.Y., at around 10:30 a.m., after receiving reports of a gas smell inside the building. Preliminary investigation showed four individuals in the church’s basement when the furnace activated and triggered the explosion, according to police.

The fifth individual was on the first floor attempting to ventilate the building when the explosion happened, causing him to be thrown against a wall. The church suffered catastrophic damage, and police considered it destroyed, according to the statement. The investigation remained ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon, but officials found no indication of criminal activity in the explosion.

Has the church said anything? Abundant Life posted a statement describing media reports about the explosion as not completely accurate. Pastor Pitts and another congregation member were at the church and called the gas company to respond to an obvious gas leak, according to the church.

The two were inside the building at the time of the explosion, along with several first responders. Their burns do need medical attention, but everyone is expected to recover, according to the statement. The building was completely engulfed in flames about 15 minutes after the explosion, the church said. Church leadership went on to ask for prayer for Pitt and his wife, MaeLeah.

WORLD reached out to Abundant Life Fellowship Church for additional comments. This story will be updated with any response received.