Pennsylvania Police said Gov. Josh Shapiro was evacuated from his residence on Sunday night due to a fire attempt, the Associated press reported. The fire began after Shapiro and his family celebrated the first Easter night in the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, according to police. Firefighters extinguished the flames after they caused a “significant amount of damage” to the residence, but no one was injured, the authorities revealed.
“Every day, we find the application of the law and the first respondents that run towards the danger to protect our communities,” Shapiro said, according to Cnn. “Last night, they did it for our family, and Lori and I are eternally grateful for keeping us in security.”
What happened when the fire broke out in the residence of Governor Josh Shapiro?
Police did not reveal many details about the attack, but they said they are “ready to say at this time that this was an Arson act.” Officials added that there were significant damage to the mansion, as Shapiro and his family slept in a different part of the house. While firefighters tried to prevent fire, police evacuated the governor and his family.
“Thanks to God, no one was injured and the fire was extinct,” Shapiro said in a statement, according to the AP.
The damage was seen on the southern side of the residence. A large room, which is mainly used to entertain crowds and have art screens, suffered significant damage, while some windows completely lost their glass. Some doors also had signs of burns.
What do officials say about the fire attack at the Governor Josh Shapiro residence?
A man was taken in remand in relation to the incident. For Associated Press, Police of the State of Pennsylvania, Colonel Christopher Paris, identified the man as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg.
“Anyone responsible for this attack, both for the Shapiro family and for our Commonwealth, must consider,” said former governor Ridge, according to AP.
Pennsylvania’s former governor Mark Schweiker added that the attack is a “negligible act of cowardice”.
The Associated Press reported that “authorities said that the suspect jumped during an iron safety fence almost 7 feet high (2.1 meters high) surrounding the property, paid off the officers who became aware of their breach and forced their residence before fixing it.”
“We still do not know the specific reason of the person,” Shapiro said at a press conference, according to the AP. “But we know some truths. First: this type of violence is not well. This type of violence is too common in our society. And I do not give a damn if it comes from one side in particular or the other, aimed at a particular part or another or another person or another. It is not OK, and it must stop. We must be better than that.”
Police have offered a reward of up to $ 10,000 for information on the attack.
