A peaceful night in Pennsylvania took a terrifying turn when Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg was deliberately set on fire—while he and his family were sleeping inside.
The shocking incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning, shaking the usually calm grounds of the state’s gubernatorial estate.
Flames Break Out While Family Sleeps
According to Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline, crews were called to the scene around 2 a.m.
The fire had broken out in the middle of the night while Governor Shapiro, his wife Lori, and their four children were inside the mansion.
Fortunately, each family member was in a different area of the home, which may have contributed to their safe escape once authorities arrived.
Fire Confirmed as Arson
Officials have already confirmed what many feared—the fire wasn’t an accident.
It was intentionally set. While the investigation is still active, authorities aren’t wasting time.
A $10,000 reward is now being offered for any information that could lead to the capture of the arsonist responsible for the attack.
Just Hours After a Family Celebration
The timing of the fire has added even more weight to the situation.
Just hours before the flames erupted, Governor Shapiro had posted a cheerful photo of his family celebrating Passover.
That same night, the joyous occasion turned into a nightmare.
Shapiro Speaks Out on Social Media
After the ordeal, Governor Shapiro took to X (formerly Twitter) to share what happened.
“At around 2AM, we were woken up by banging at the door from the Pennsylvania State Police,” he wrote.
“An arsonist had set fire to the Governor’s Residence.”
He expressed deep gratitude toward the emergency responders who helped get his family out safely. “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.
Every day, we’re thankful for the law enforcement officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line.
Last night, they protected our family, and Lori and I are forever grateful.”
Smoke, Damage, and a Historic Home
Photos taken during the incident show thick black smoke billowing from the mansion, and sections of the home visibly charred from the flames.
The firefighters were captured in action, battling the blaze as it threatened the historic estate.
A Residence with Deep Roots
The 29,000-square-foot mansion has been home to eight different governors since it was built in 1968.
It’s no stranger to hardship—having flooded multiple times, including during Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.
After each disaster, the property has undergone repairs and restorations to preserve its historical and political significance.
Investigation Continues
As the investigation continues, state officials remain on high alert.
While no one was injured, the attack has raised serious concerns about the safety of public officials and their families.
Updates on the case are expected as law enforcement sifts through evidence and pursues leads.