DID Press: A powerful explosion tore through Abundant Life Fellowship Church in the US state of New York on Tuesday morning, injuring a pastor and at least four firefighters, authorities said.
US officials described the damage to the building as “catastrophic,” adding that the church was effectively destroyed.
According to New York State Police, preliminary findings indicate the blast occurred when a heating system (furnace) in the church basement was activated. At the time of the incident, four people were inside the basement.
A firefighter who was ventilating the building on the first floor was thrown by the force of the explosion and injured.
Police said those inside the building before the blast had reported smelling gas. Emergency and fire crews arrived at around 10:30 a.m. to investigate the source of the gas odor, and the explosion occurred minutes later.
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released further details on the condition of the injured.