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An ordinary morning in upstate New York shattered in seconds as the Abundant Life Church explosion tore through a house of worship Tuesday, leaving five people injured — two of them critically — and reducing part of the building to what authorities described as catastrophic damage.

Fire crews in the Town of Boonville, Oneida County, were dispatched just before 10:30 a.m. to the church on the 4930 block of State Route 12 after reports of a strong gas odor inside the structure, according to the New York State Police.

What began as a routine emergency response quickly escalated.

Blast Strikes as Firefighter Enters Building

Officials said the explosion erupted as a Boonville firefighter entered the church. The force of the blast caused severe structural destruction, sending debris outward and transforming the scene into a tableau of smoke and splintered wood.

Five individuals were transported to Wynn Hospital in Utica. Authorities said one firefighter and one civilian remain in critical condition. The other three victims sustained injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The shockwave reverberated beyond the walls of the church, rattling a close-knit community where faith and familiarity run deep.

Gas Leak Reported Before Explosion

Pastor Brandon Pitts and an unnamed member of the congregation had contacted a propane company earlier regarding what was described in a church Facebook message as “an obvious gas leak.”

According to the post, the pastor, the congregant and several responders were inside the building when the explosion occurred. The message indicated that those injured suffered burns requiring medical treatment but expressed optimism about their physical recovery.

The church was reportedly heated by propane cylinders. Authorities have not determined the precise cause of the blast, and investigators stressed that there is currently no indication of criminal activity.

Investigation Ongoing; Roads Closed

Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Uniform Force remain at the scene, assisting local responders in determining what triggered the explosion.

Fire department operations continued Tuesday afternoon along State Route 12 at Potato Hill Road. All lanes were closed as emergency crews worked amid debris and unstable conditions. Motorists were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

In a matter of moments, the quiet rhythm of a weekday morning gave way to sirens and smoke. As investigators sift through the wreckage, the community now waits — shaken but hopeful — for answers in the wake of the Abundant Life Church explosion.