HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Several artifacts located in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence were removed Monday after sustaining smoke and heat damage during Sunday morning’s attack by an alleged arsonist.
According to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, none of the artifacts located in the Harrisburg residence were located within the areas where the fire occurred when a man allegedly threw Molotov cocktails inside.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, the commission said its Executive Director Andrea Lowery and two curators “conducted a thorough on-site evaluation of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence to assess the impact on historical items after yesterday’s attack.”
Items that were damaged will be moved out of the residence to be assessed, cleaned, and restored for future generations.
Charred wood trim and brick are visible at the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
A charred piano, left, is visible inside the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: A view of the damage after an arsonist sets fire to the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: A view of the damage after an arsonist sets fire to the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Charred tables and dishes are visible inside the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in an alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
PHOTO COURTESY / PACAST – Governor Josh Shapiro, right, and State Police Colonel Christopher Paris, survey the damage.
Charred wood trim and brick are visible at the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: Police line cordon is seen at Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion after a suspected arson attack caused significant damage in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
The residence’s first floor contains art exhibits, decorative art, and state artifacts. The commission did not specifically say which artifacts were damaged in the fire. Harrisburg City Fire Chief Brian Enterline said the cost of the damage could be in the millions of dollars.
Cody Balmer, 38, is facing charges including attempted homicide for allegedly starting the fire with a plan to attack Shapiro inside, should he have encountered him.
Balmer is accused of breaking into the residence and starting the fire before escaping through a door. After turning himself in to police, Balmer was taken to an area hospital for an unrelated medical event and is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday night.
Balmer’s mother told the Associated Press that her son has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and that she sought help for him, but “nobody would help.”
Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside the residence after celebrating the first night of Passover when State Police awoke them around 2 a.m. on Sunday with the fire burning in a separate area of the residence. Everyone inside was able to evacuate safely.
This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available
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