The Richardson County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a structure fire at approximately 12:31 a.m. Deputies observed a house at 526 9th Street on fire.
Once the fire was extinguished, an individual, later identified at 70-year-old Michael Leroy Ruch was found in a bedroom in the northwest corner of the house.
The Dawson, Humboldt and Verdon Fire Departments responded to the scene along with the Humboldt Rescue Squad.
The State Fire Marshall was notified. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
The Sheriff Office thanked the responding units for their prompt response and coordinated efforts and extended their condolences to the family of the deceased.
