A closed door on the stairs of the Pennsylvania governor’s stairs, Josh Shapiro’s mansion may have saved him and his family after it was said they broke into and set fire while they were sleeping, officials said.
Cody Ballmer, 38, is accused of using homemade Molotov cocktails to set up Shapiro’s official residence in the Harrisburg capital early Sunday.
Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Entellein doesn’t know what unfolded if the door in question was left open.
If the door in question had remained open, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterraline said “we would have put the governor at even greater risk.”
The door closure partially helped lock the flames in, preventing them from tearing the hallway more quickly – essentially giving Shapiros time to escape, Interline told reporters Monday.
Shapiro, his wife, four children and another family member were asleep when the suspect got caught in surveillance cameras.
He then destroyed his own path and set the dining room on fire before he escaped, officers said.
When the flames settled, the governor said he woke up to a state trooper knocking on the bedroom door around 2am.
Shapiro, his family, pets and guests were all in a hurry to safety.
The fire caused great damage to the magnificent room – charging walls, tables, buffets serving dishes, plates and piano.
Enterline estimates that millions of people could suffer damage.
Ballmer became a police officer in the aftermath, confessing that he “had a lot of hatred” towards the Democratic governor, and that if he had met him he would have beaten him with a hammer.
He was slapped on numerous charges, including attempted murder, arson, robbery and terrorism aimed at enforcing “government acts.”
The suspect was denied bail during his first court hearing on Monday.
