A closed door in a stairwell of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion may have saved him and his family after a perp allegedly broke in while they were sleeping and set the place on fire, officials said.
Cody Balmer, 38, is accused of using homemade Molotov cocktails to set Shapiro’s official residence alight early Sunday in the state capital of Harrisburg — torching an entire room and causing millions of dollars in damage.
Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said that if the door in question had been left open, there is no telling what may have unfolded.
If the door in question had been left open, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said “it would have definitely put the governor at even greater risk.”
The door’s closure partly helped to contain the flames and prevented them from tearing down a hallway more rapidly — essentially giving the Shapiros time to escape, Enterline told reporters on Monday.
Shapiro, his wife, their four kids and another family were sleeping when the suspect was caught on surveillance cameras allegedly scaling an iron security fence, smashing a window of the mansion’s piano room with a hammer and tossing a Molotov cocktail inside.
He then smashed his way inside and ignited the dining room before fleeing, cops said.
As the flames took hold, the governor said he was awoken by a state trooper banging on his bedroom door at around 2 a.m.
Shapiro, his family, pets and guests were all rushed to safety.
The fire left significant damage to the grand room — charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano.
Enterline has estimated the damage could be in the millions.
Balmer turned himself into cops in the aftermath, allegedly confessing that he “harbored hatred” against the Democratic governor and would have beaten him with the hammer if he’d encountered him inside.
He was slapped with a slew of charges, including attempted murder, arson, burglary and terrorism intended to coerce “the conduct of a government.”
The suspect was denied bail during his initial court hearing on Monday.
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