Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and his family evacuated last night after a suspected arsonist set fire to the governor’s mansion while the family slept, Shapiro announced on Sunday morning. A fire broke out just hours after the governor shared a photo of his family celebrating the first night of Passover on Saturday, as reported by WHTM Harrisburg. Fortunately, everyone inside the home was in different areas of the residence and was able to evacuate safely when firefighters and State Police arrived at the property around 2 a.m. local time.
Pennsylvania State Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and authorities suspect arson. They also confirmed that a significant portion of the home was destroyed, but everyone was able to evacuate safely. The governor expressed gratitude to first responders and described the incident in a post on X on Sunday morning.“Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police,” Shapiro posted on X.
“Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe,” he added. Shapiro is widely viewed as a frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 2028.
The Pennsylvania State Police are leading a multi-agency investigation and have announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Located in the state capital of Harrisburg, the Governor’s Residence has served as the official home for eight Pennsylvania governors since it was established in 1968.
