Fire Engulfs Home of South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein; Investigation Underway

South Carolina authorities are investigating a fire that engulfed the Edisto Island home of state Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former state Sen. Arnold Goodstein. The blaze broke out Saturday afternoon, sending three people to the hospital.

According to the Town of Edisto Beach, multiple fire departments responded to the scene in Colleton County. The St. Paul’s Fire District said those inside the home escaped by jumping from an elevated first floor, and due to the property’s remote location, firefighters rescued the occupants from the backyard using kayaks.

One patient was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina, while two others were transported by ground, officials said.

Mark Keel, chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), confirmed that investigators have found “no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set” and no signs of a pre-fire explosion. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Video shared on social media showed flames engulfing the beachfront home and sending thick smoke into the air.

South Carolina Chief Justice John W. Kittredge said SLED is leading the investigation and that local law enforcement agencies have been asked to provide additional patrols around the area.

The FBI confirmed to CNN that it is not involved in the investigation.

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