PREVIEW

The home of South Carolina judge who ruled against U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has been destroyed in a fire.

The blaze broke out at around 11:30 local time (16:30 BST) on Saturday at Judge Diane Goodstein's house in Edisto Beach, according to local media outlet FITSNews.

Judge Goodstein was not at home at the time. However, at least three members of her family, including her husband – former Democratic state senator Arnold Goodstein – and their son, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The St Paul’s Fire District, which responded to the scene, said the occupants were forced to escape via the first floor and had to be rescued using kayaks.

In a statement, the fire department said: “The first arriving crews worked flawlessly together to ensure the safety of the occupants which escaped via jumping from an elevated first floor.
Due to the remoteness and layout of the lot, the occupants had to be rescued from the backyard via kayaks and brought to Colleton County EMS where they received medical aid.”

Law enforcement did not initially confirm whether the fire is being treated as arson. They are investigating the incident.

Last month, Judge Goodstein temporarily blocked the state’s election commission from handing over voter files to the US Department of Justice – a ruling later overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court. She reportedly faced threats after her ruling.

The Department of Justice had requested information on more than three million registered voters, including names, addresses, driving licence numbers and social security numbers. The move followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March.