Clear Lake firefighters are mourning the loss of one of their own. Bob 38-year-old volunteer firefighter Dale Simpson collapsed at the wheel of his vehicle shortly after completing work at the fire Monday between Mason City and Clear Lake. The blaze gutted a shed at a cemetery that was used to house swans during the winter — and many of the birds died. Simpson had already gone home, showered, and was headed back to work when he slumped over while driving back to work. An autopsy will be performed. It’s not known if Simpson’s death was related to battling the fire.
