A massive fire broke out at the Colleton County home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein, leaving her husband, former Senator Arnold Goodstein, and two others injured. The 81-year-old former lawmaker sustained serious injuries while escaping the blaze, authorities confirmed.
South Carolina Supreme Court Responds
The South Carolina Supreme Court issued a statement on Sunday acknowledging the incident and confirming that it is being reviewed. A video of the fire, showing flames and thick black smoke rising from the Goodstein residence, quickly went viral on social media.
“Judge Goodstein was walking on the beach when the fire started. Her husband, Arnie, was in the house with children and perhaps grandchildren,” South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge said in a statement.
“The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony. I’m told there were injuries from the fall, such as broken legs.”
Diane Goodstein Family: Husband and Children
Diane Goodstein and her husband, Arnold Goodstein, share two children — Arnold Samuel Goodstein II and Eve Schafer Goodstein — according to the judge’s biography on the official South Carolina Courts website.
The Daily Mail reported that Arnold Goodstein and two others were injured in the fire. The former Senator, who also served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973, represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1979.
Details about their children remain private, but their names have been confirmed through public records.
Authorities Investigating the Fire
🚨Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein’s South Carolina Edisto Beach home was engulfed in flames following an apparent explosion. Her husband, a former Democratic state senator, is in the hospital after leaping from the house.
#BreakingNews #SouthCarolina pic.twitter.com/goQsGWWXdV
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) October 6, 2025
The South Carolina Supreme Court stated that local authorities are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chief Mark Keel confirmed that officials have not yet determined whether the blaze was accidental or intentional.
“At this time, we do not know whether the fire was accidental or arson. Until that determination is made, Chief Keel has alerted local law enforcement to provide extra patrols and security,” Keel said.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to assess the damage and gather evidence from the scene. The incident has drawn attention statewide, given Judge Diane Goodstein’s long judicial career and her husband’s past political service.
