South Carolina Judge’s Million-Dollar Home Reduced to Ashes, Arson Suspected [WATCH]

A fire destroyed the Edisto Island home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former State Senator Arnold Goodstein, on Saturday, sending three members of the family to the hospital.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which completely leveled the property.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom beachfront home was valued at approximately $1,155,200, according to property records.

The house was located on a remote area of Edisto Island, roughly an hour southwest of Charleston.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the investigation.

Chief Mark Keel said the possibility of arson is being examined as part of the inquiry.

“We do not know whether the fire was accidental or arson,” South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittridge said in a statement.

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“Until that determination is made, Chief Keel has alerted local law enforcement to provide extra patrols and security.”

The blaze broke out late Saturday evening, quickly engulfing the entire structure.

Video footage captured at the scene showed flames consuming the two-story residence before the structure collapsed entirely into a pile of ash and debris.

According to the St. Paul’s Fire District, emergency crews responded to reports of a structure fire with possible entrapment after receiving a call from the Edisto Beach Fire Department.

In a statement released on social media, the department described the complex rescue efforts that took place due to the home’s isolated location on a barrier island with limited road access and water supply.

“The SPFD received reports of a structure with entrapment on Edisto Island from our automatic aid partners, Edisto Beach Fire Department,” the statement read.

“Engine 1403 and Tender 1403 along with Battalion 1407 were first due followed by Edisto Beach Engine 14 and Ladder 14. Due to our strong working relationship with the EBFD, crews went right to work extinguishing the fire and looking for occupants.”

Firefighters faced multiple logistical challenges, including tight access areas and a lack of nearby hydrants.

“This area is located on a barrier island with significant challenges such as limited water supply and tight areas,” the department said.

“The first arriving crews worked flawlessly together to ensure the safety of the occupants which escaped via jumping from an elevated first floor. Due to the remoteness and layout of the lot, the occupants had to be rescued from the backyard via kayaks and brought to Colleton County EMS where they received medical aid.”

Arnold Goodstein was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, including broken bones in his hips, legs, and feet, sustained when he jumped from the burning home.

Two other family members were transported for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The St. Paul’s Fire District said multiple units were dispatched to contain the blaze and assist with rescue operations, including Engine 1408, Rescue 1401, and several tenders.

Additional support was provided by the Charleston Fire Department, which helped backfill local stations to maintain emergency coverage for nearby residents.

“This incident showed that your SPFD and its surrounding partners are willing, able, and competent to handle any type of call for service due to the commitments we have along with the strong working relationships we have built to respond appropriately,” the department said.

Judge Diane Goodstein was first elected to the South Carolina Circuit Court by the General Assembly in 1998.

Her husband, Arnold Goodstein, previously served as both a Democratic state senator and state representative.

Authorities have not released further details on the investigation, and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Local and state law enforcement continue to monitor the property as forensic teams assess the scene.