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LODD: Wyo. fire chief succumbs to injuries from brush fire

Clarence “Speed” Hartbank was surveying damage to a ground-level bunker when he fell through a hole and into the fire; he suffered burns over 38 percent of his body

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Chief Clarence “Speed” Hartbank

Photo courtesy Fremont County Fire Protection District

RIVERTON, Wyo. — Deputy Chief Clarence “Speed” Hartbank, with the Fremont County Fire Protection District, died Wednesday after succumbing to injuries he received fighting a brush fire.

Firefighter Close Calls reported that Chief Hartbank, a 45-year member of the department, was commanding a Sept. 10 grass and structure fire. While he was surveying damage to a ground-level bunker, he fell through a hole and into the fire.

He suffered burns over 38 percent of his body, broke seven ribs and punctured a lung. He was airlifted to a hospital in Colorado and has gone through numerous surgeries since the incident.

Funeral arrangements are pending.