Church explosion in upstate New York injures 5 people, including firefighter

A fiery detonation ripped done a religion successful upstate New York connected Tuesday (February 17, 2026), injuring 5 people, including a firefighter who was severely burned portion responded to reports of a state odour successful the building, officials said.

New York State Police were investigating the origin of the blast, which occurred astir 10:30 a.m. astatine the Abundant Life Fellowship Church successful a agrarian country astir 50 miles (80 kilometre) northeast of Syracuse.

Five radical were taken to a section infirmary for treatment. Two were listed successful captious condition, including a firefighter who responded to the scene. The remaining 3 radical were being treated for injuries that were not believed to beryllium life-threatening, constabulary said.

Police said determination was nary archetypal denotation of transgression enactment related to the explosion, which sent heavy plumes of achromatic fume into the aerial and severely damaged the church.

The religion was reportedly heated by propane cylinders, according to authorities troopers.