A massive fire destroyed the Edisto Beach residence owned by South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former state Senator Arnold Goodstein, Saturday afternoon. Three people, including Arnold Goodstein, were hospitalized after escaping the blaze—with Arnold reportedly leaping from the first floor and suffering multiple broken bones.
According to state officials, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken over the investigation and is probing the fire as a potential arson. Neighbors said the house erupted in flames around midday, and the structure was engulfed in moments. Judge Goodstein was not at the property when the fire broke out; she was reportedly walking nearby.
Goodstein has served on the bench since 1998, and her husband is a longtime figure in South Carolina politics. At this point, no definitive cause has been publicly confirmed, and additional forensic examinations are expected in the coming days.