In the early hours of Sunday morning, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated from the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg after a fire broke out in what authorities are calling a deliberate act of arson.
The incident occurred shortly after the family had gathered to celebrate the first night of Passover. According to a statement posted by Shapiro on X (formerly Twitter), the family was awakened around 2 a.m. by the sound of police knocking on their door, alerting them to the fire.
“An arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence,” Shapiro wrote. “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”
He went on to express deep gratitude to law enforcement and first responders:
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run toward danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful.”
According to Pennsylvania State Police, firefighters and police responded swiftly to the scene. While the fire was successfully put out and no injuries were reported, the blaze caused significant damage to part of the residence.
Authorities have officially classified the fire as arson, although no suspects or motives have been publicly identified yet. The investigation remains ongoing.
To aid in the search, officials have announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible.
Governor Shapiro, a rising figure in the Democratic Party and considered a potential presidential contender in 2028, has continued his public duties while the investigation unfolds.