A quiet weekend in Edisto Beach, South Carolina, turned chaotic when flames engulfed the $1.5 million oceanfront home of Judge Diane Goodstein, just weeks after she issued a high-profile ruling against the Department of Justice.
By the time firefighters arrived on October 4, the house was fully ablaze. Eyewitnesses captured harrowing footage of flames consuming the two-story property, sending thick smoke into the sky. Rescuers had to improvise, using kayaks to reach family members trapped behind the home and ferrying them to waiting paramedics.
Three people were hospitalized, including Judge Goodstein’s husband, former State Senator Arnold “Arnie” Goodstein. Chief Justice John Kittredge reported that Arnie and other family members — including children and grandchildren — had to jump from an upper floor to escape. Injuries included broken legs and other trauma.
Judge Goodstein was not inside the home at the time. Witnesses said she had been walking alone along the beach moments before an explosion ignited the fire. Authorities described the incident as “suspicious but undetermined.” While Chief Justice Kittredge noted the blaze appeared to begin with an explosion, the cause remains under investigation.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and local fire marshals have taken over the case. Officials stressed that both accidental and intentional causes are being considered.
The timing of the fire has intensified public interest. Weeks earlier, Judge Goodstein blocked the DOJ from obtaining personal data on more than 3.3 million South Carolina voters, citing potential “immediate and irreparable harm” to citizens’ privacy. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by voter Anne Crook, challenging the DOJ’s plan to cross-check voter eligibility using a Homeland Security database.
Following the ruling, Judge Goodstein reportedly received multiple threats. Conservative commentators criticized her decision, while privacy advocates praised her stance. Now, with her home destroyed, questions about motive and potential political implications are circulating widely.
The St. Paul’s Fire District praised first responders for their “heroic coordination” in rescuing the family. Residents’ footage showed the fire spreading rapidly, complicated by the home’s remote beachfront location, which limited vehicle access. By the time the blaze was contained, the house was destroyed, leaving only a scorched foundation and collapsed structure.
