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Woman Rushed to Hospital After Explosion at Winnipeg Law Firm

The lawyer has "very serious injuries" to her upper body after opening a package.

Members of a bomb unit and emergency crews investigate a possible explosion at a law firm in Winnipeg. Photo courtesy Trevor Hagan/The Canadian Press

A woman was seriously injured Friday in Winnipeg after she opened a package containing an explosive device.

Emergency crews surrounded the offices of Petersen King law firm on River Avenue following reports of an explosion. The woman was transferred to hospital with "very serious injuries to her upper body," Constable Eric Hofley told reporters at the scene.

Metro News and CBC reported the victim is Winnipeg family law attorney Maria Mitousis, who has worked at Petersen King since last fall.

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Following the blast, Mitousis was rushed to hospital. The Canadian Press reported she lost a hand and was at risk of losing the other.

A fully-outfitted bomb disposal unit checked the building and surrounding area for explosives Friday afternoon. Members of the uniformed patrol and fire department were on the scene.

Hofley told reporters he didn't know whether there was another explosive device in the building, but said police were airing on the side of caution.

"That's why we have those members fully equipped in their bomb unit outfit and they are going in right now to check, should there be any other explosive device," he said.

"I'm not sure how this device came to be in her possession, whether it was mailed or dropped off or something like that, but at this point you know it certainly does appear that however it came into her possession, it was an explosive device that was triggered inadvertently by this woman."

He said no one else was injured in the blast and the building was evacuated.

Hofley said a window had been damaged but wasn't able to say more about the damage to the building.

Metro News also reported Mitousis is the girlfriend of Winnipeg lawyer Barry Gorlick who was recently disbarred for professional misconduct. His former workplace also evacuated following the blast, Metro reported, but a police spokesperson said people in the building evacuated voluntarily.

According to CBC News, Gorlick deliberately created false documents, misled his staff and partners, and misappropriated funds. Almost $60,000 of client funds were paid to the benefit of him and his family, a Law Society of Manitoba report states.

The Law Society of Manitoba warned its staff in a statement to "exercise caution when dealing with mail and deliveries."

Police had not announced any suspects Friday afternoon.

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