Boonville Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr. was discharged a week after a propane explosion at Abundant Life Fellowship Church injured five people

By Greta Stuckey
syracuse.com

BOONVILLE, N.Y. — The Boonville fire chief has been discharged from a Syracuse hospital a week after a massive explosion at a church injured five people.

The chief, David Pritchard Jr ., 60, was released from Upstate University Hospital after spending a week there, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Two other firefighters, Nicholas Amicucci, 43, and Richard Czajka, 71, remain in critical condition at the hospital.

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Pastor Brandon Pitts, 43, was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, a spokesperson said.

Allan Austin, 67, an assistant chief with the Boonville Fire Department, was discharged Saturday from Wynn Hospital in Utica, according to a Facebook post from the department.

“This is going to be a long recovery for all of these individuals and their families, and our fire service extended families,” the Boonville Fire Department said in a Facebook post. “We continue to ask you to respect the families and keep the well wishes and prayers flowing.”

On Feb. 17, the five men were injured when propane gas from a damaged fuel line exploded at Abundant Life Fellowship Church on Route 12.

The fuel line was damaged when the building shifted under the heavy weight of snow on the roof, according to Sgt. Jack Keller, a spokesperson for the State Police.

Firefighters responded to the church last Tuesday morning after people reported smelling gas. As firefighters searched for an electrical panel to shut off power to the building, a furnace turned on, triggering the explosion, Keller said.

Three firefighters and the pastor were in the basement at the time of the blast. Another firefighter was on the first floor attempting to ventilate the structure and was thrown against a wall by the explosion.

On Sunday, Abundant Life Fellowship Church held its 10 a.m. service at Adirondack High School. The Adirondack Central School District has allowed the church to use the auditorium for the foreseeable future.

Sunday marked the church’s first gathering since the explosion destroyed the building.

“Seeing our Abundant Life family worship alongside neighbors and friends from across Boonville was deeply encouraging,” the church said in a Facebook post. “The atmosphere was uplifting, hopeful, and filled with strength. In the middle of loss, we experienced unity. In the middle of uncertainty, we felt the steady presence of God.”

Pitts said he expects his recovery to take one to two months and that he may not be able to attend services in person for several weeks.

Church officials said updates will continue to be shared through the church’s social media and the church’s website.

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