EXPLOSION ROCKS Church—Multiple Responders Down

Yellow police tape marking a restricted area at a fire scene with firefighters in the background

A propane-heated rural church exploded in upstate New York, leaving firefighters and a pastor critically injured in a tragedy that underscores the dangers facing first responders and faith communities relying on aging heating infrastructure.

Story Snapshot

Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville exploded after a suspected propane gas leak, injuring five people including the pastor and fire chief
The blast occurred while firefighters and church leaders were inside investigating the leak, causing catastrophic destruction to the building
Two victims remain in critical condition; New York State Police confirm no criminal activity involved
The church was heated by propane cylinders, raising concerns about safety standards in rural religious buildings

Rural Church Devastated by Propane Explosion

Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville, New York suffered a catastrophic explosion on February 17, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., following reports of a strong gas odor. The blast injured five individuals, including Pastor Brandon, a congregant identified as MaeLeah, and three firefighters from the Boonville Fire Department. The church, located on State Route 12 in Oneida County about 40 miles north of Utica, was heated by propane cylinders. New York State Police confirmed no criminal activity was involved, treating the incident as an accidental gas-related explosion.

First Responders Caught in Blast During Investigation

Pastor Brandon and a congregant detected the gas odor around 10:23 a.m. and immediately called the propane company and emergency services. When Boonville Fire Department personnel arrived, the fire chief entered the building to investigate and ventilate the structure. The explosion occurred while responders were inside, possibly triggered by furnace activation. The Boonville fire chief and one civilian suffered critical injuries and were transported to Wynn Hospital in Utica, while three others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Foggy weather conditions prevented helicopter evacuation, forcing reliance on ground ambulances. This incident highlights the extraordinary risks first responders face when responding to gas leak calls in older structures.

Building Destroyed, Community Rallies in Prayer

The explosion destroyed the upper half of the church building, leaving charred remains and causing flames to engulf the structure within 15 minutes. Multiple fire departments from surrounding areas including Remsen, Barneveld, Stittville, and Forestport responded to assist. State Route 12 was closed as emergency crews secured the scene. Governor Kathy Hochul deployed state resources including Fire, EMS, and Office of Emergency Management personnel, posting on social media that she was praying for full recovery of the injured. The church congregation immediately took to Facebook requesting prayers for Pastor Brandon and MaeLeah, praising the Lord’s protection despite the devastating incident.

Propane Safety Questions Emerge for Rural Houses of Worship

The catastrophic damage raises concerns about propane heating systems in rural religious buildings, particularly those relying on cylinder-based heating rather than natural gas lines. The church’s propane heating system, common in rural upstate New York areas lacking natural gas infrastructure, became a deadly hazard when the leak occurred. While the investigation continues under New York State Police supervision, the incident may prompt safety regulation reviews for propane systems in churches and public buildings. The short-term impact includes disrupted worship services for the Boonville congregation and potential strain on rural emergency medical resources. Long-term implications involve substantial rebuilding costs and the possibility of stricter fire safety inspections for similar facilities across rural communities that depend on propane heating.

This tragedy demonstrates the vulnerability of faith communities in rural areas where aging infrastructure and limited heating options create potential dangers. The heroism of Pastor Brandon, the congregant, and especially the Boonville fire chief who entered the building to protect his community deserves recognition. As families and communities across rural America face similar infrastructure challenges, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of regular safety inspections and proper maintenance of propane heating systems. The Boonville community’s immediate response through prayer and social media reflects the strong bonds that hold small-town America together during crisis.