An explosion at a church in upstate New York left five people injured on Tuesday, including a firefighter. Officials tell the local ABC affiliate that fire crews were called to Abundant Life Church in Boonville around 10:45 a.m. for reports of a gas odor.
Around the same time, the church exploded, leaving five people injured. All were taken to a hospital in Utica for treatment, with a firefighter and one other person in critical condition.
A Facebook post from the church states that the pastor and another congregant were on-site and had called the propane company to respond to an apparent gas leak. The post states they and a few first responders were in the building when the explosion occurred.
The church said the victims “have burns that need medical attention but I think everyone will be just fine physically.” It added that when others left the scene, the church was almost completely engulfed in flames and smoke.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
