Explosion at Kentucky church construction site injures two; authorities investigating

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) — Authorities are investigating after an explosion at a Kentucky church injured two people, Monday afternoon.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls around 12:49 p.m. reporting an explosion at a construction site at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. Law enforcement, the fire department, and other first responders rushed to the scene.

Sheriff Ryan Norman said both victims were initially transported to local hospitals and later transferred to out-of-state medical facilities for further treatment. Their conditions have not been released.

Detectives from the sheriff’s office remain at the scene as of late Monday afternoon, working alongside the Paducah Police Department to determine the cause of the explosion.

“It appears to be some type of a workplace incident at this time,” Norman said. “We don’t believe there’s anything necessarily nefarious towards the public or anything like that.”

Church officials declined an interview but addressed the incident in a social media post, stating:

“Church Family — we have experienced an accident inside of one of the barns on our construction site. We know that first responders are working with those involved, so please pray for the entire situation and for our friends at A&K Construction, their related subcontractors, and their families. We will share more information when we can.”

Authorities have not released the names of those injured or specified what may have caused the explosion. The investigation is ongoing.