Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to flee in the middle of the night during Passover after an alleged arsonist set fire to their residence, authorities said. 

Mr Shapiro, a Democrat seen as a potential candidate for his party’s presidential nomination in 2028, said he and his family woke up at about 2am on Sunday to “bangs on the door” by police after a fire was allegedly set at the governor’s residence in Harrisburg.

Mr Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family were evacuated as the fire service tackled the flames.

Image:
Pic: Commonwealth Media Services

Pic: Commonwealth Media Services
Image:
Pic: Commonwealth Media Services

“Thank God no one was injured,” he said in a post on X.

A 38-year-old man identified as Cody Balmer, from Harrisburg, was arrested later in the day.

Pic: Commonwealth Media Services
Image:
Pic: Commonwealth Media Services

Pic: Commonwealth Media Services
Image:
Pic: Commonwealth Media Services

X

This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

He will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said.

“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities,” Mr Shapiro said on X.

More on Josh Shapiro

Related Topics:

“Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”

Pic: Commonwealth Media Services
Image:
Pic: Commonwealth Media Services

Charred wood trim and brick are visible at the Pennsylvania governor's official residence. Pic: AP
Image:
Charred wood and brick are visible at the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence. Pic: AP

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro. Pic: Reuters

The motive is unclear, but Mr Shapiro said officials believe it was a targeted attack.

Read more from Sky News:
Why Vladimir Putin seems to be raising the stakes
Jordan Belfort breaks silence on Trump’s tariffs

According to Pennsylvania police officials, he slipped over a fence around the property carrying homemade incendiary devices and evaded state troopers long enough to enter the residence, set it on fire and leave.

On Saturday, Mr Shapiro posted a picture of his family’s “seder” table as they celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

He is considered a leading contender to be the Democratic nominee in the 2028 US presidential election.