A powerful gas explosion devastated the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville, New York, on Tuesday morning, critically injuring a firefighter and four others.
Emergency responders arrived at the church on State Route 12 around 10:23 a.m. following reports of a gas odor. According to New York State Police, the explosion occurred while a Boonville firefighter was inside the building investigating the smell.
Five people were transported to Wynn Hospital in Utica for treatment. The firefighter and one civilian are listed in critical condition, while three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Foggy conditions in the area forced medical teams to transport the injured by ambulance rather than helicopter.
The explosion caused “catastrophic” damage to the church, located about 40 miles north of Utica. Video footage from the scene shows the building’s top half completely destroyed, with the remaining structure charred by smoke and fire. Firefighters were seen dousing the flames from ladder trucks.
A churchgoer posted on the church’s Facebook page that the pastor and another congregation member were present when the explosion occurred. “They have burns that need medical attention but I think everyone will be just fine physically,” the post read, according to police reports.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including fire departments from Boonville, Remsen, Barneveld, Stittville, and Forestport, along with various ambulance services and law enforcement agencies.
State Route 12 was closed in both directions as crews worked at the scene.
As of Tuesday afternoon, investigators have found no signs of criminal activity. The exact cause of the gas leak and subsequent explosion remains under investigation.
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