Judge Denies Bail for Arsonist Who Set Fire to PA Governor’s Home

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Cody Balmer, under arrest for setting fire to the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, was denied bail by Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Dale Klein.

Klein said Balmer is a risk to the community. Balmer is accused of setting fire to beer bottles filled with gasoline in the room where the family had shared a Passover meal earlier in the evening. The Governor’s family, pets and another family visiting overnight were awakened and safely evacuated from the house.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze. The Governor’s Mansion, a historic building, suffered considerable damage.

At first Balmer evaded capture. A former girlfriend contacted police to say he had set the fire. Several hours after the arson attack, Balmer turned himself in. Police found clothes and a hammer matching surveillance video from the Governor’s Mansion.

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