![New York State Police are investigating an explosion at Abundant Life Fellowship Church on State Route 12 in the town of Boonville, New York, that left five people injured Tuesday morning. [WKTV]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/104890855/f3c7227cecf7be56dded541177fa4a070247a9bb8065115f8a424987507da41e)
Overview
- State Police determined a propane fuel line was damaged when the building shifted under heavy snow, and a furnace ignition triggered the explosion.
- Pastor Brandon Pitts and Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr. are in fair condition at Upstate University Hospital, while firefighters Nicholas Amicucci and Richard Czajka are in critical condition; firefighter Allan Austin remains hospitalized in Utica.
- The 10:23 a.m. call reported a gas odor, and the explosion occurred with four people in the basement and one firefighter on the first floor.
- Abundant Life Fellowship Church is considered destroyed after catastrophic structural damage and fire.
- Authorities report no indication of criminal activity, with State Route 12 near Potato Hill and Kerwin roads restricted as investigators and emergency crews secure the scene.