Suspect planned to beat Pennsylvania governor with hammer, documents show

Josh Shapiro and his family fled when fire broke out (AP)

A man who allegedly scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion before starting a fire there had planned to beat governor Josh Shapiro with a hammer if he found him, according to court documents.

The fire left significant damage and forced Mr Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early on Sunday.