An explosion occurred at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church along State Highway 12 in Boonville, New York, injuring five people. New York State Police have begun an investigation. Authorities said the first rescuers were dispatched at around 10.23am (US time) after reports of a gas smell inside the church, with witnesses telling investigators they smelled gas before the explosion.State police said in a statement to Newsweek that a Boonville firefighter was inside the building when the explosion occurred, leaving two firefighters and a civilian in critical condition and three others with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.The church sustained catastrophic damage and is believed to be destroyed, officials said, adding that there were no signs of criminal activity and that the building was heated by propane gas cylinders.In a statement released by the church, a congregant said the pastor and another member had called a propane company to report an apparent gas leak before the explosion and were among those injured, adding that the incident was developing.The cause of the explosion remains under investigation and state police and fire officials remain at the scene.
