Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family narrowly escaped harm early Sunday morning after a suspected arsonist ignited a blaze at the governor’s mansion. The incident occurred in the hours following the first observance of Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, celebrated by the Shapiro family.
According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Governor Shapiro, his family was roused around 2:00 a.m. by police officers alerted to the fire.
“Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished,”
he wrote.
“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.”
Authorities responded swiftly to reports of a fire at the Harrisburg residence. State Police confirmed that no injuries were reported, though a portion of the mansion sustained considerable damage. The investigation has determined the cause to be arson, according to officials. They have not yet released further details regarding the incident.
“While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson,”
a statement indicated.
Law enforcement agencies are seeking information leading to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for the crime. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for assistance in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The governor, often mentioned as a possible contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, recently stated his pride in his Jewish heritage during an interview, though he declined to comment on whether this identity played a role in not being selected as Vice President in 2024.
