Cerro Gordo County investigates death of Clear Lake man

The fire death of a Clear Lake man is being investigated. The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office was called shortly after 2:15 yesterday afternoon to a grass fire in rural Hanlontown that was reported out of control. 87-year-old Louis George Hepperly was found dead at the site, which is property he owns. The sheriff’s office says it appears Hepperly was attempting to burn the ditch when the fire went out of control. The cause of the death is not known at this time. An autopsy is scheduled for later today.