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Lawyer Maria Mitousis injured in explosion at Winnipeg law office

WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. Lawyer Maria Mitousis is taken on a stretcher from the Petersen King law offices on River Ave. in Winnipeg. 

WINNIPEG – Lawyer Maria Mitousis was taken to hospital Friday morning following an explosion at the Petersen King law office on River Avenue where she works.

A building was also evacuated at 444 St. Mary Ave. in downtown Winnipeg Friday afternoon. That building houses law firm Monk Goodwin, the workplace of disbarred lawyer Barry Gorlick, Mitousis’s boyfriend. Mitousis, 38, worked at that office before she started working for Petersen King.

IN PHOTOS: Bomb explodes in Winnipeg law office

A Law Society of Manitoba alert sent to lawyers warned them about the explosion that injured Mitousis and said another suspicious envelope was delivered to a different law firm recently.

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However, police said they believe they are dealing with a specific threat that doesn’t pose a danger to the general public.

“Police are on scene [at 444 St. Mary] now really as a precaution, and we’ll ensure there’s nothing suspicious, no items, no hazards, but we’re really not acting on any specific information,” Supt. Danny Smyth said Friday afternoon. “It’s more precautionary in nature.”

WATCH: Bomb disposal unit investigates a silver Cadillac SUV near 252 River Ave.

The investigation was in its early stages but police believe the attack was targeted, Smyth said.

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“We don’t consider this to be a general threat to the public or any other businesses at this time,” he said.

Mitousis was taken to hospital with face and chest injuries after the explosion at about 10:15 a.m. Visibly shaken employees hugged outside the offices after the explosion.

The Canadian Press reported that Mitousis lost a hand and was in danger of losing the other one.

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Southbound Donald Street at Broadway, northbound Donald at Stradbrook Avenue, westbound River at Harkness Avenue, St. Mary Avenue between Vaughan and Edmonton streets, and the intersection of St. Mary and Memorial Boulevard were closed for much of the afternoon. Donald Street was reopened at the start of the rush hour.

LIVE BLOG: Global News reporters cover the developing story following an explosion at a Winnipeg law office Friday.

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