April 13, 2025 | Harrisburg, PA — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated early Sunday morning after an arsonist set fire to the historic Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. The blaze, which broke out around 2:00 a.m., caused significant damage to the southern portion of the mansion, which is frequently used for official gatherings and displays of state art.
According to authorities, Pennsylvania State Police and Capitol Police responded swiftly to alert the governor and his family, who were asleep when the fire began. “I woke up to banging on the door,” Governor Shapiro told reporters. “Thanks to the quick action of the police and fire department, we are safe.”
No injuries were reported, but the fire scorched portions of the residence’s exterior and interior, requiring extensive cleanup and security review. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire contained the flames before they could spread to the residential living quarters.
The Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the fire was an act of arson and are actively investigating how the suspect breached the gated property. No arrests have been made, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The incident occurred on the eve of Passover, just hours after the governor posted a photo of his family’s Seder table on social media. While some have raised concerns about possible anti-Semitic motives, officials have not confirmed any specific intent behind the attack.
“The timing is deeply troubling,” said one senior aide to the governor. “But we’re letting law enforcement do their job before drawing conclusions.”
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion completed in 1968, has housed the state’s governors since 1969. Governor Shapiro, a Democrat and the state’s third Jewish governor, has lived there with his wife and four children since taking office in January 2023.
In the aftermath of the attack, security has been heightened at the residence and other state government buildings. The governor resumed his duties later Sunday and thanked first responders for their bravery.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Pennsylvania State Police.