Authorities have reported that there’s been no indication of foul play regarding the fire that destroyed a home belonging to South Carolina Circuit Judge Diana Goodstein and her former husband, Senator Arnold Goodstein.
The fire at their Edisto Beach residence occurred around noon, leading Arnold Goodstein to leap from the ground floor to escape the flames, as mentioned by the Post and Courier.
Mark Keel, the head of South Carolina Law Enforcement, stated, “Currently, there’s no indication that the fire was set intentionally.” He also noted that investigators found no evidence to support the idea that an explosion occurred before the fire.
Arnold Goodstein, along with two other residents, was rescued from the property by paramedics and neighbors from a nearby vacant area behind the three-story home. Residents had contacted kayak emergency services for assistance, according to the St. Paul Fire District.
While Diana Goodstein, 69, was reportedly walking her dog on the beach, the home was engulfed in flames within the gated community owned by Jeremy Kay.
One person was airlifted to South Carolina Medical College, and two other unidentified residents were transported by ground to the same facility. A source close to the family indicated that Arnold sustained several broken bones during his escape.
Diana Goodstein has presided over multiple high-profile cases since being elected in May 1998, most recently including a controversial decision involving former President Trump and voter data that was requested by the U.S. Department of Justice. The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned Goodstein’s temporary injunction, deeming it “clearly false.”
