BOONVILLE, NY — New York State Police are investigating an explosion at Abundant Life Fellowship church on State Route 12 that injured five people this morning.
First responders were dispatched at approximately 10:23 a.m. following reports of a gas odor inside the church.
The preliminary investigation indicates four individuals were in the church’s basement when the furnace activated, triggering an explosion.
One firefighter was on the first floor attempting to ventilate the building at the time of the explosion and was thrown against a wall.
Five individuals were transported for medical treatment.
The injured are identified as David Pritchard Jr., 60, of Boonville, fire chief; Brandon Pitts, 43, of Boonville, pastor of the church; Allan Austin, 67, of Boonville; Nicholas Amicucci, 43, of Boonville; and Richard Czajka, 71, of Boonville, all members of the Boonville Fire Department except Pitts.
Pritchard, Pitts, Amicucci and Czajka were transported to Upstate Hospital.
Austin was transported to Wynn Hospital.
Hospital officials advise all five individuals are currently listed in critical but stable condition.
The church sustained catastrophic damage and is considered destroyed.
There is no indication of criminal activity at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
State Route 12 southbound at Potato Hill Road and northbound at Kerwin Road in the Town of Boonville is closed due to the explosion.
The duration of the closure is unknown at this time.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
