A massive explosion devastated the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville, Oneida County, on Tuesday morning, injuring five people including the pastor and firefighters and leaving the church building in ruins, officials said. The blast occurred around 10:25–10:30 a.m. local time and sent thick black smoke into the sky, prompting a major emergency response.
New York State Police and local emergency crews were dispatched after reports of a strong gas odor inside the rural church, located about 50 miles northeast of Syracuse. Investigators believe the explosion was triggered when a propane‑related gas leak ignited, possibly as a furnace or heating system activated while first responders were inside.
Among the injured were Pastor Brandon Pitts (43) and four members of the Boonville Fire Department, including the fire chief and other seasoned firefighters. All five were rushed to regional hospitals and were listed in critical but stable condition, authorities said.
State police emphasised that, so far, there is no indication of criminal activity linked to the explosion. The church which relied on propane cylinders for heating suffered catastrophic structural damage, with much of the building destroyed by the force of the blast and subsequent fire.
Road closures were put in place along State Route 12 near Boonville as emergency crews worked to secure the scene and conduct search and investigation efforts. Local officials urged motorists to seek alternate routes while the area remains cordoned off.
Witnesses reported smelling gas prior to the explosion, and a church member said the pastor and another congregant had contacted a propane company about a possible leak shortly before the blast occurred.
The incident has shocked the tight‑knit rural community, with calls for prayers and support for the injured, even as investigators continue to determine the precise cause of the explosion and assess safety protocols for similar buildings.
