A large fire engulfed the Edisto Island beachfront home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former Democratic state Sen. Arnold Goodstein, on Saturday, leaving three people injured and triggering a state investigation.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home, valued at roughly $1.1 million, sits in the private Jeremy Cay community, a secluded neighborhood about an hour from Charleston.
Marshlands, tidal creeks and narrow roads made access difficult, and witnesses reported thick smoke rising as neighbors and emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Firefighters faced significant challenges controlling the blaze.
According to The Gateway Pundit, the St. Paul’s Fire District said the home’s remote barrier island location, combined with limited water supply and tight access points, made operations especially difficult.
The department noted that crews had to navigate marshy terrain to deploy hoses and equipment and carefully coordinate with neighboring units to ensure adequate coverage.
The combination of soft ground, narrow roads and the home’s elevated design slowed the response and required additional manpower and resources to safely combat the fire.
Residents and first responders acted quickly to help those trapped inside.
Several occupants jumped from the elevated first floor into the marsh, while emergency personnel used kayaks to reach them and transport them to ambulances.
“The first arriving crews worked flawlessly together to ensure the safety of the occupants which escaped via jumping from an elevated first floor,” the fire district said, per the New York Post.
Arnold Goodstein sustained serious fractures to his hips, legs and feet during the escape.
He was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina, while two other occupants were taken by ground ambulance. Their current conditions have not been released.
Judge Diane Goodstein, 69, was away from the house at the time, walking her dogs along the beach.
By the time firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed, leaving only a pile of rubble.
Video footage shows the home completely consumed by flames, illustrating how rapidly the fire spread.
Goodstein has served as a Resident Circuit Judge since her election by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1998.
She is widely recognized for her long tenure and for presiding over high-profile criminal and civil cases.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the investigation. Officials have not determined the cause, though SLED Chief Mark Keel said arson remains a possibility.
“We do not know whether the fire was accidental or arson,” said South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge, noting that patrols in the area have been increased and residents advised to remain vigilant.
Public records show Arnold Goodstein previously ran Summerville Homes, a homebuilding company that filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
The couple has two adult children: Arnold Samuel Goodstein II and Eve Schafer Goodstein.
Friends and colleagues describe the Goodsteins as prominent members of the Charleston-area community, balancing public service with family life.
Fire investigators, assisted by the State Fire Marshal, continue to determine what sparked the blaze and whether foul play contributed to the destruction.
Officials caution the investigation may take weeks due to the total loss of the property and the need to carefully analyze debris.
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