A 74-year-old Bliss resident died Wednesday in a residential fire that destroyed his home, according to emergency responders who arrived at the scene shortly after the call came in near noon.
Rick Hinton was found dead by first responders at the residence. The Gooding Fire Department and Hagerman Fire Department responded to the blaze, along with the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office.
The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating both the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding Hinton’s death. No additional details about the incident have been released pending the outcome of that investigation.
House fires remain a significant public safety concern across Twin Falls County and the broader Magic Valley region. A lightning-ignited fire earlier this summer burned 25 acres in the South Hills near Kimberly, while another major blaze south of Kimberly consumed 25 acres as crews worked to contain the spread.
What Comes Next
The State Fire Marshal’s investigation is ongoing. Additional information about the cause of the fire and Hinton’s death is expected as that investigation concludes. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office or the State Fire Marshal’s office.