Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Authorities in South Carolina are investigating a weekend fire that injured at least three people at the Edisto Island home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former state Sen. Arnold Goodstein, officials said Monday.
Mark Keel, chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), said in a statement that investigators have found no evidence the fire was intentionally set, addressing widespread online speculation about the blaze’s cause.
“Investigators have found no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set,” Keel said. “We urge elected officials and members of the public and media to exercise good judgment and not share unverified information while our investigation continues.”
The fire broke out Saturday at the couple’s marshfront home near the causeway connecting Edisto Beach to Edisto Island, a popular coastal community about an hour from Charleston. The blaze destroyed the house, and videos circulating online showed towering flames and thick black smoke visible from across the water.
According to the St. Paul’s Fire District, the home’s occupants escaped by jumping from an elevated first floor and were rescued from the backyard using kayaks. Three people were hospitalized after the fire, said Capt. K.C. Campbell of Colleton County Fire Rescue. Two were taken by ambulance, and one was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina. Their conditions were not immediately available Monday.
County property records show the home is owned by Judge Goodstein and her husband, who bought the property in 2019. A Democrat, Arnold Goodstein is a Vietnam War veteran who received two Bronze Stars for his service.
The fire quickly drew political attention because of Judge Goodstein’s recent involvement in a high-profile election data case. Last month, she issued a temporary order blocking South Carolina officials from sharing the state’s voter database with the U.S. Department of Justice, siding with a voter who argued that doing so would violate privacy protections. The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned her ruling.
In a statement Monday, the state’s high court declined to comment on the fire but urged the public to respect the Goodstein family’s privacy.
“We respectfully suggest that common decency be followed by all in respecting the privacy of the Goodstein family during this difficult time,” the court said.
SLED’s investigation remains ongoing.
