Bomb unit detonates explosive at East Kildonan business

Winnipeg police say "an unknown material" detonated Saturday night while the Winnipeg Police Service's bomb unit worked to deactivate an explosive device at a business in East Kildonan.

Officers converged on a business in the 500 block of Washington Avenue at around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

A police spokesperson said officers were called due to reports of a suspicious package.

"Wow, here? Who would want to bomb here?" said Cheryl Lukasik, who lives on Washington Avenue.

Lukasik said police told her on Saturday there was a bomb scare and that she had to leave her house and the area immediately.

"They said we had to vacate the premises, period. We had nowhere to go," said Lukasik. "We had to leave. I couldn't get my puffers; I'm asthmatic, I'm in a walker."

The bomb unit was called, and at one point officers could be seen with their guns drawn.

Supt. Danny Smyth said at a press conference Sunday the package detonated around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night while the bomb unit was working to deactivate it. No one was injured, but the business was damaged, Smyth said.

The street was reopened several hours later, but officers were still in the area on Sunday morning.

Lukasik said she was able to stay at a friends house overnight and returned home this morning. 

Police confirmed the event is connected to the bomb that exploded at the Petersen King law office on River Avenue Friday.

• Winnipeg police seek motive in Petersen King law office bombing

• Winnipeg lawyer Maria Mitousis, 38, injured by bomb in law office

The bomb unit has been called to several properties since then across the city on reports of suspicious packages. Some of those reports have been proven to be unfounded.

No more details are available at this time.