Officials Say ‘No Evidence’ Of Arson In Judge’s House Fire After Days Of Rumors
South Carolina officials said Monday there is currently “no evidence” indicating that the fire at the home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein and her husband was arson, following days of speculation…
South Carolina officials said Monday there is currently “no evidence” indicating that the fire at the home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein and her husband was arson, following days of speculation, according to a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Reports broke Sunday that a fire engulfed the 69-year-old state judge’s Edisto Island home in South Carolina Saturday, according to The Post and Courier. People online speculated that the incident was arson. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chief Mark Keel said, however, that the preliminary investigation found no evidence to support the theory of a “pre-fire explosion.”
“At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set. SLED Agents have preliminarily found there is no evidence to support a pre-fire explosion. The investigation into the fire is still active and ongoing,” Keel said.
“Upon the conclusion of the investigation, SLED will issue a follow up statement with additional information,” Keel added. “I urge our citizens, elected officials, and members of the press to exercise good judgment and not share information that has not been verified.”
At the time of the incident, Goodstein and her husband Arnold Goodstein, 81, were at the residence. While Goodstein was not injured as she was walking her dogs at the time, Arnold Goodstein sustained injuries after jumping out the back of the house to escape the fire, The Post and Courier reported.