UTICA, NY — Afiery explosion at a churchin upstate New York on Feb. 17 caused "catastrophic" damage and injured five people, including the pastor and firefighters who had responded to reports of a gas odor inside the building, authorities said.
First responders were dispatched to the Abundant Life Church in Boonville, New York, at around 10:23 a.m. ET after receiving reports of a gas odor, according to New York State Police. Multiple fire departments, ambulance services and law enforcement arrived at the church after the initial call.
According to the Oneida County 911 Center, the explosion happened shortly before 11 a.m. Following the incident, state police said four firefighters and the pastor of Abundant Life Church were transported to local hospitals and were listed in critical but stable condition.
A preliminary investigation indicated that four people were in the church's basement when the furnace activated, triggering an explosion. A firefighter on the first floor was attempting to ventilate the building at the time of the explosion and was thrown against a wall, state police said in anews release.
In a statement, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said he was deeply saddened by the explosion at the church and was praying for all those impacted.
"Our thoughts are especially with the Boonville firefighters and church members who were injured," Picente said. "I commend the bravery and professionalism of our first responders who rushed toward danger to protect others. Oneida County is in close communication with local officials and emergency services, and we stand ready to provide any assistance needed as the investigation continues."
Boonville is a town in Oneida County, New York, and is about 70 miles northeast of Syracuse.
New York State Police identify injured firefighters, pastor
State police identified the four firefighters and pastor injured in the incident as:
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David Pritchard Jr., 60, the fire chief of the Boonville Fire Department
Brandon Pitts, 43, the pastor of Abundant Life Church
Allan Austin, 67, a firefighter for the Boonville Fire Department
Nicholas Amicucci, 43, a firefighter for the Boonville Fire Department
Richard Czajka, 71, a firefighter for the Boonville Fire Department
Pritchard, Pitts, Amicucci and Czajka were transported to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, while Austin was transported to Wynn Hospital in Utica.
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Abundant Life Church sustained 'catastrophic' damage
A post on the church's Facebook page stated the pastor and another member of the congregation were inside the church along with first responders when it exploded.
The church, which was heated by propane cylinders, sustained "catastrophic" damage and was "considered destroyed" following the explosion, state police said.
After 1 p.m., firefighting crews were still hosing down what remained of the church as several members of the church watched. With no nearby hydrants, firefighters relied on their tanker trucks for water.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area, and New York State Route 12 southbound at Potato Hill Road and northbound at Kerwin Road in Boonville was closed.
State police noted that there was no indication of criminal activity in the incident and the investigation remains ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch:Explosion at upstate New York church injures 5, including firefighters