An explosion at Abundant Life Church in Boonville, NY, injured five people, including four firefighters and the pastor, following reports of a gas leak.



An explosion at an upstate New York church injured five people Tuesday as firefighters investigated a reported gas leak that left the building a total loss.

The morning explosion at Abundant Life Church in Boonville, N.Y., occurred around 10:30 a.m., shortly after two people at the church reported smelling gas and called the propane company. Firefighters were sent to the scene, and officials said four of them were in the basement when a propane furnace turned on, triggering the blast. A fifth firefighter on the first floor was thrown against the wall, the Associated Press reported. He was trying to ventilate the building.

Four members of the Boonville Fire Department were taken to the hospital, as was the church’s pastor, Brandon Pitts, 43. Police said all five were in critical but stable condition.

The church’s Facebook page said Pitts “is being treated for some second degree burns, but is alert and we were told was able to do some joking with hospital staff, which is very much like him and excellent news.”

“Our building is a total loss,” the Facebook page added.

The church’s Facebook page also expressed gratitude to God that the building was not filled with more people – as it would have been on a Sunday morning – at the time of the explosion.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente applauded the courage of the first responders.

“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,” Picente said.

The following firefighters were injured: David Pritchard Jr., 60, fire chief; Allan Austin, 67; Nicholas Amicucci, 43; and Richard Czajka, 71.

Dean Yauger, the Boonville Fire Department’s first assistant chief, said plans to airlift the injured to hospitals were scrapped because heavy fog grounded the helicopters.

Around 80 firefighters from surrounding departments responded to the scene, officials said.

Boonville is located about 60 miles northeast of Syracuse.

The church building was opened in 1999. Abundant Life was launched in 1985.

Source