Fire destroys Edisto Beach home of SC judge; three hospitalized

A three-story waterfront home belonging to South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein was destroyed by fire around midday Saturday on Edisto Beach, leaving three people hospitalized, authorities said. Former state senator Arnold Goodstein, who was inside the house when the blaze began, was airlifted to a hospital after jumping from the structure; two other occupants were rescued and taken to medical care, officials said.

Emergency crews and neighbors raced to the scene in the Jeremy Cay gated community after plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the property. Several people reached the injured in the marshy area behind the home by kayak, according to local fire officials. One person was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina, while the other two were transported by ambulance. Neighbors and family members assisted in the initial evacuations.

Chief Justice John Kittredge of the South Carolina Supreme Court said the fire followed an apparent explosion and that investigators have not yet determined whether it was accidental or the result of arson. "At this time, we do not know whether the fire was accidental or arson," he said. The State Law Enforcement...