Boonville Church Explosion Critically Injures Pastor and Four Firefighters, Destroys Building

Overview

• The blast struck Abundant Life Fellowship Church on State Route 12 late Tuesday morning in Oneida County, New York.
• State police identified the injured as Pastor Brandon Pitts, 43, Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr., 60, and firefighters Allan Austin, 67, Nicholas Amicucci, 43, and Richard Czajka, 71.
• A preliminary review found four people were in the basement when the furnace turned on, and a firefighter on the first floor was thrown by the explosion.
• All five were taken to Wynn Hospital in Utica or Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse and are listed in critical but stable condition.
• Troopers say the propane‑heated church sustained catastrophic damage, Route 12 remains closed near Potato Hill and Kerwin roads, and the cause is under active investigation without indications of criminal activity.