Fire in South Carolina Judge’s Hometown Not Considered Arson

South Carolina authorities have indicated that there’s “no evidence” to suggest that a fire in the hometown of Circuit Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein and her husband was the result of arson, following some online speculation. This was shared in a statement from officials to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The incident reportedly involved a fire at the home of Goodstein, a 69-year-old state judge from Edisto Island, which occurred on a Saturday. Online discussions had led many to think it might have been intentionally set. However, SLED chief Mark Keel stated that the preliminary investigation did not find anything that would support theories of a “pre-ignition explosion.”

“Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that the fire was deliberately ignited. Our investigators have also determined there is no indication of a pre-fire explosion. The fire investigation remains active,” Keel explained.

“Once we’ve wrapped up the investigation, SLED will release a follow-up statement with further details. I encourage our community members, elected officials, and media to refrain from spreading unverified information,” he added.

At the time of the fire, both Goodstein and her husband Arnold, who is 81, were in the house. Goodstein was out walking the dog during the incident, so he wasn’t harmed, but Arnold did sustain injuries while escaping the blaze.

Videos shared online depict the house engulfed in flames as dark smoke billows from the structure.

According to her court biography, Goodstein began her career as an associate in 1981 and was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as a Resident Circuit Judge in May 1988.

Arnold Goodstein has also had a notable career, serving both in the South Carolina Senate and House. He was first elected to the Senate in 1969, then switched to the House from 1971 to 1973, before returning to the Senate from 1975 to 1979.

Following the fire, some prominent figures, including former Biden aide Neela Tanden and communications director Izzy Gardon, expressed their suspicions online, suggesting the possibility of a deliberate attack on the judge. Tanden called for an investigation into the timing of the incident, which occurred shortly after criticisms directed at Goodstein.

Reports indicate that three individuals were injured and hospitalized due to the fire, with one person receiving care at a nearby hospital.