SD Fire Chief Dies Battling Structure Fire

Oct. 16, 2017
Presho Fire Department Chief Donny Manger fell ill and died Saturday at the scene of a fire.

Several fire departments in South Dakota have offered condolences following the line-of-duty death of a fire chief.

The U.S. Fire Administration on Monday announced the death of Presho Fire Department Chief Donald F. "Donny" Manger, 54, who fell ill Saturday at the scene of a fire at an unoccupied structure and later died at a hospital.

Presho is a small city of less than 1,000 people in Lyman County.

The exact cause of the 31-year fire service veteran's death is yet to be determined.

A press release by the South Dakota Fire Marshal's Office says Manger arrived on scene Saturday evening and collapsed after exiting his vehicle. CPR was immediately started and Manger was then transported to Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, where he was pronounced dead.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Donny Manger, Chief of Presho fire department," reads a Facebook post by the Salem Fire Department. "LODD on a structure fire today. RIP Donny, we will take it from here brother."

The Yankton Fire Department, Tea Volunteer Fire Department and Parker Volunteer Fire/Rescue also offered thoughts and prayers through social media.

A brief obituary on the website of the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain says funeral services for Manger will be held Thursday.

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