Five injured in explosion at Protestant church in New York

Firefighters battle flames at Abundant Life Fellowship church in Boonville, New York. Photo: Nicole Moore, Daily Sentinel/Boonville Herald via AP

On February 17, 2026, an explosion occurred in a Protestant church building in Boonville, New York, seriously injuring five people. The Associated Press reported the incident.

According to preliminary information, the cause was a gas leak in the basement. Representatives of the congregation said they called emergency services at around 10:30 a.m. local time after noticing signs of a possible leak.

As New York State Police clarified, four people were in the basement, and the explosion occurred after the heating system was turned on. Among the injured was one firefighter. All the wounded were hospitalized, and their condition is described as serious.

As a result of the explosion and the ensuing fire, the church building sustained severe damage and was effectively destroyed. The circumstances of the incident are still being investigated, but police said there was no initial indication of criminal activity related to the explosion.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Congressman Randy Fine voiced concern over the spread of Islam in the United States.

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