Investigators have opened an arson probe as Diana Goodstein had reportedly been targeted for blocking a US Dept of Justice data request
Police are investigating possible arson after a fire destroyed a $1.5 million house belonging to a US judge who had received death threats over her decision to block a voter data request demand from the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Three people were injured in the blaze on Saturday, which destroyed the beachfront property belonging to South Carolina judge Diana Goodstein and her husband, former Democratic Senator Arnold Goodstein, local media have reported.
Goodstein had argued that fulfilling the data request from the Department of Justice would be a violation of privacy. Her order was later lifted by the South Carolina Supreme Court, and the election commission said last week that it would hold a public vote on whether to release the data to the federal government.
According to various reports, citing the judge’s colleagues and other sources, Goodstein had received “multiple death threats” following her ruling.
BREAKING: Liberal South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein's home is burning to the ground after an explosion. SLED is investigation as arson and refer attack as Judge Goodstein had been receiving multiple threats.
The blaze at Goodstein’s $1.5 million three-story home at a private gated community in South Carolina’s Edisto Beach area started at around noon on Saturday, according to The Post and Courier.
The flames rapidly spread through the building, completely destroying the four-bedroom, four-bathroom house, the paper said.
The judge was walking her dogs on the beach when the fire broke out, but her husband, children, and grandchildren remained inside, according to the outlet.
"The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony. I am told there were injuries from the fall, such as broken legs,” South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge said.
Goodstein’s husband’s injuries “may have been the most serious, for he was airlifted to the hospital,” he added.
According to FitsNews, the 81-year-old former South Carolina lawmaker sustained multiple broken bones in his hips, legs, and feet. Two other family members required hospitalization after the incident.
Kittredge said the blaze had been caused by an “apparent explosion” and that arson investigators have been working at the scene. However, it is yet to be established if the fire was accidental or not, he stressed.
