Judge Diane Goodstein's Edisto Beach Home Destroyed

Around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the beachfront three-story, four-bedroom home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein on Edisto Beach was destroyed in a massive blaze, with reported property values between about $1.155 million and $1.5 million. At least three family members, including her husband, former state senator Arnold Goodstein, and a son were hospitalized after escaping; one person was airlifted with multiple broken bones and neighbors and rescue crews reached occupants by kayak or from balconies. Goodstein was not at home during the fire. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating, has said the blaze followed an “apparent explosion,” has not ruled out arson and has ordered extra patrols around the area. The fire comes weeks after Goodstein temporarily blocked the state elections commission from turning over voter-registration data of more than 3.3 million people to the U.S. Justice Department, a ruling that reportedly drew multiple death threats; State Chief Justice John Kittredge and SLED Chief Mark Keel said they will monitor the probe and update the public as investigators determine the cause.