Rockford teen honored for rescuing family from fire

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A 17-year-old Rockford student was honored on Wednesday for rescuing a family from a fire.

Jaxon Ott was driving on the highway on the morning of Tuesday, March 11, when he noticed a burning trailer in the Nora Springs trailer court.

“I just happened to see black smoke rolling over the road,” said Ott.

The fire, spreading across the south deck of the trailer, was unnoticed by Kendra Neve or her daughter, Anna, who was caring for her newborn baby, Jersey, inside the trailer.

“They couldn’t smell it or see it from the inside,” said Ott.

“We were just feeding the baby in the living room and somebody kicked our door in,” said Kendra Neve. “He said the porch was on fire and I stood up and saw the flames everywhere. If Jaxon hadn’t seen it from the highway we might have been goners.”

While Ott made sure the Neve family safely escaped, his own family witnessed his actions from their truck while reporting the fire.

“He just did it so naturally,” said Marge Hanson, Ott’s grandmother. “He threw his phone at me and said ‘talk to the fire department’ then he went in and got them out.”

Ott’s quick actions ensured that the occupants of the trailer were safely out by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.

“When we arrived the south side of the trailer was fully engulfed,” said Nora Springs firefighter Shawn McKibben. “Hopefully they would have gotten out, but you never know.”

McKibben and Fire Chief Mike Miller presented Ott with a Certificate of Valor during RRMR’s character awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 2.

“We’re proud to be able to come down here and honor Jaxon for what he did that day,” said Miller.

Since the fire, which completely totaled the home, Ott and his family have continued to help the Neves get back on their feet.

“He’s been a blessing. He’s brought us clothes for the baby and toys,” said Neve. “I think it’s wonderful he’s being recognized. It’s no small thing and he deserves it.”

The Neves and Otts were both at the ceremony to see Jaxon’s heroics honored.

“For him to do that, we’re so proud of him,” said Ott’s mother, Kristin Ott.

“We cry about it every time we think about it,” said Hanson.

Ott has been humble about the experience, saying he’s happy he was able to make a difference.

“I felt like I did something right,” he said.