Today's News: Arson at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence
No injuries were reported, though the fire caused significant damage to part of the residence. Authorities confirmed the incident as an act of arson and launched a multi-agency investigation.
Photo: Matt Rourke/AP
Overview
Date: April 13, 2025
Topic: Arson at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence
Summary: In the early hours of Sunday, April 13, an arsonist set fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg. Governor Shapiro, his wife Lori, and their family were safely evacuated by Pennsylvania State Police around 2 a.m. No injuries were reported, though the fire caused significant damage to part of the residence. Authorities confirmed the incident as an act of arson and launched a multi-agency investigation. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The incident occurred just hours after the Shapiro family celebrated the first night of Passover.
Sources
The New York Times – Gov. Josh Shapiro and Family Evacuated After Arson at Pennsylvania Residence
CNN – Pennsylvania police say an arson at the governor’s residence forced Gov. Shapiro and his family to evacuate
NBC News – Police search for arsonist after overnight fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence
Fox News – Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro and family evacuated from governor’s mansion after suspected arsonist sets fire
The Washington Post – Arson on Pennsylvania governor’s home caused significant damage, police say
The Wall Street Journal – Arson Fire Reported at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence
Key Points
The fire occurred around 2 a.m. on April 13; the governor and his family were safely evacuated by state and Capitol police.
Authorities, including Pennsylvania State Police, confirmed it was an act of arson.
The fire caused significant damage to part of the residence, which is historically significant and open to public tours.
The incident prompted a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Governor Shapiro publicly thanked law enforcement and first responders.
The attack came just hours after Shapiro, who is Jewish, shared a Passover message and photo of his family’s Seder table.
Unique Highlights
NBC News mentions the names and ages of Shapiro’s four children and provides polling data comparing his approval rating favorably to Taylor Swift’s.
The New York Times and The Washington Post offer historical and architectural details about the governor’s residence, including its size, public accessibility, and renovations.
CNN and NBC News quote Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s pledge to support the investigation.
Fox News uniquely describes Shapiro as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender and emphasizes the link to Passover in its lead.
The Wall Street Journal has the briefest coverage, limited mainly to confirmation of events and no additional context.
Contrasting Details
CNN, NBC News, and Fox News emphasize the $10,000 reward prominently, while The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal omit this detail.
The Washington Post specifies that the fire broke out in a different section of the mansion from where the family was located—an important nuance absent from most other reports.
NBC News includes speculation on whether Shapiro’s adult children were present, a detail not discussed elsewhere.
Fox News is alone in directly tying Shapiro to future presidential ambitions.
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