S.C. Judge Diane Goodstein’s Edisto Island Home Destroyed in Suspected Arson; Occupants Rescued by Kayak
On Oct. 4, the waterfront home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein — a former Democratic state senator — on Edisto Beach, about 50 miles southwest of Charleston, burned in a blaze investigators are treating as possible arson. First responders used kayaks to rescue occupants from the backyard; Judge Goodstein (69) was out walking dogs, her husband Arnold Goodstein (81) jumped from a backyard window, three people were reported injured, and SLED with local fire departments responded and are investigating.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Oct. 4 a waterfront home on the shore of Edisto Beach — about 50 miles southwest of Charleston — belonging to South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein was destroyed in a fire.
- State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the blaze as a possible arson, and the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly said officials are probing the Oct. 4 fire.
- First responders used kayaks to rescue occupants from the backyard as the waterfront house burned; the St. Paul Fire District and Edisto Beach Fire Department assisted in firefighting.
- The occupants were identified as Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein (69) — a circuit court judge and former Democratic state senator — and her husband, Arnold Goodstein (81).
- Three people were reported injured in connection with the fire.
- Arnold Goodstein jumped out of a backyard-facing window to escape the flames and suffered injuries; Judge Goodstein was reportedly out walking their dogs at the time of the blaze.
📰 Sources (3)
Blaze at Home of South Carolina Judge Under Investigation
New information:
- State Supreme Court publicly said officials are investigating the Oct. 4 fire.
- Location specified as the judge's home on the shore of Edisto Beach about 50 miles southwest of Charleston.
- Identifies Diane Goodstein as a circuit court judge and notes she is a former state senator (former Democratic state senator).
Judge's waterfront mansion burns in possible arson as first responders use kayaks for dramatic rescue
New information:
- First responders used kayaks to rescue the occupants from the backyard as the waterfront house burned.
- The occupants are identified as Circuit Court Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein (69) and her husband Arnold Goodstein (81); three people were reported injured.
- Arnold Goodstein jumped out of a backyard-facing window to escape the flames and suffered injuries; the judge was reportedly out walking their dogs at the time.
- State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the blaze as a possible arson; St. Paul Fire District and Edisto Beach Fire Department assisted in firefighting.