DEVASTATING images show the extent of the damage to the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion after it was the target of a suspected arson attack.
The inside of the sprawling home was gutted, with furniture left completely charred.
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Rooms were left ravaged by the flames, with an orange-brown sofa completely covered in black smoke and burnt debris.
A table looked almost melted as it was covered in other items that had fallen, with ash strewn across the floor.
The walls were covered in black ash, with original paintwork in a magnolia color only peeking through slightly in places.
Damage from the fire was apparent throughout the room, with debris covering almost every inch of the floor.
What appears to be a globe-shaped drinks cabinet was seen in the center of the room, with the sphere broken in half as each piece sat on its own axis.
Metal framework from various items was also seen strewn throughout the room where items had burned.
Large west-facing windows were missing their glass panes and doors stood ajar.
Investigators discovered two broken glass Heineken bottles filled with gasoline in the mansion’s dining room, according to a criminal complaint seen by The U.S. Sun.
Photos taken at the scene showed the smashed up windows and police tape surrounding the mansion.
Cody Balmer has been named as the suspect behind the attack.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside the property when the blaze broke out.
He was woken up at around 2am on Sunday morning before he and his family were ushered to safety.
Balmer allegedly jumped over a wall before smashing a window with a hammer, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.
He then allegedly hurled a Molotov cocktail before smashing another window.
Balmer then broke into the governor’s mansion, lighting two more fires, according to police.
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Cops revealed Balmer was wearing a “snap-on” jacket that had distinctive shoulder patches.
He has been hit with a slew of charges including attempted murder.
Balmer has also been charged with burglary and terrorism.
He was also accused of aggravated arson.
He was quizzed by cops and admitted to showing hatred toward Shapiro – a potential frontrunner to be the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential candidate.
The Mail reported that Balmer posted a string of inflammatory comments about Joe Biden and the Democrats.
George Bivens, of Pennsylvania State Police, hasn’t revealed a motive, but revealed Balmer had a plan.
“He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it with a lot of hurry,” he said.
Cops revealed Balmer had homemade incendiary devices with him.
Shapiro revealed he and his wife, Lori, were grateful for first responders for keeping them safe.
He revealed his family were woken up to bangs on the door.
Shapiro warned violence was becoming “far too common” in society.
“I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another, it is not OK and it has to stop,” he warned.
Shapiro, who was sworn in as Governor in 2023, shared a picture that showed a Seder table inside the mansion only hours before the suspected arson attack.
“From the Shapiro family’s Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!” he said.
The Georgian-style Governor’s Mansion has served as the home of eight governors.
It was designed by the architect George Ewing and the home was completed in 1968.
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