The governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, said he and his family were evacuated from their home early on Sunday after an arson attack that significantly damaged a section of the governor’s official residence.
Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat, said on social media that the Pennsylvania State Police woke his family by banging on the door around 2 a.m. to warn them of the fire. He said no one was injured.
The State Police and the Pennsylvania Capitol Police evacuated his family while firefighters extinguished the fire, the governor said.
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities,” the governor said. “Last night, they did so for our family — and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”
The State Police said in a statement that the fire caused “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.”
The police did not identify a suspect and said an investigation was underway.
Hours before the fire, Mr. Shapiro wrote on social media that he and his family were marking Passover, which began at sunset on Saturday.
Images posted on social media showed firefighters battling the fire. A portion of the mansion was obscured in dark smoke, and some windows were shattered.
Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat, gained national prominence last year when he was on the short list of possible running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket. She eventually chose Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Mr. Shapiro’s nearly two decades in public office includes six years as the state’s attorney general. He was elected governor in 2022.
The governor’s residence is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style home on the Susquehanna River, according to the state government. Its landscaped grounds occupy a full block about a mile and a half from the State Capitol complex. Eight governors have lived there with their families since it was completed in 1968.
The public is able to tour the residence, which exhibits art and artifacts on the first floor.
A renovation of the property was completed in 2022 to make it more accessible to people with mobility issues and more environmentally friendly, The Patriot-News reported.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
