A major fire engulfed the Edisto Island home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein on Saturday, leaving three people hospitalized and the residence nearly destroyed.
Goodstein, who was out walking her dogs when the fire began, escaped unharmed. Her husband — former state Senator Arnold Goodstein — their son, and another individual were inside at the time and forced to leap from the elevated first floor. Due to the property’s marshy terrain, rescuers used kayaks to reach them.
One victim was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina, and the others were transported by ground ambulance.
State investigators from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are examining the blaze. As of now, authorities say there is no indication the fire was intentionally set, nor is there evidence of a pre‑fire explosion. Local law enforcement has been requested to increase patrols and maintain security around the area.
The incident has drawn attention because of Goodstein’s recent rulings. Last month, she blocked the South Carolina Election Commission from releasing sensitive voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice — a decision that was later overturned by the state Supreme Court.
As the investigation continues, nothing definitive has been announced about the fire’s cause.
SOURCE: abc NEWS
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