Five Injured in Church Explosion in Upstate New York; Authorities See No Initial Criminal Suspicion

Five Injured in Church Explosion in Upstate New York; Authorities See No Initial Criminal Suspicion
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Five people were injured Tuesday in an explosion inside a church in upstate New York, authorities reported, prompting an investigation into the cause.

The blast occurred around 10:30 a.m. at the “Abundant Life Fellowship” church, located in a rural area about 80 kilometers northeast of Syracuse, producing thick black smoke and causing significant damage to the building.

The New York State Police confirmed that five individuals were taken to a local hospital, including two in critical condition. One of the critically injured was a firefighter who had responded to reports of a gas smell inside the church. The other three injured sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said there were no initial indications of criminal activity linked to the explosion. Officials noted that the church was heated using propane cylinders, and forensic teams are continuing technical investigations to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Authorities urged residents to avoid the area while emergency responders and investigators assess the site for safety and structural stability.