A quick-thinking Cordell teen is credited with saving a neighbor’s life during a small fire that broke out overnight Friday, January 23, at a residence in the Cordell trailer park.
Sixteen-year-old Jayton Fisher noticed something was wrong around 1:40 a.m. while inside his nearby home. Fisher said he was playing video games when he smelled smoke coming from outside.
“I looked out my window and saw flames along with a thick cloud of smoke coming from my neighbor’s house,” Fisher said. “I assumed he and his dog were most likely still sleeping inside after I realized there was no smoke alarm sounding.”
Fisher immediately ran outside to check the home. After seeing that the resident’s car was still parked there, he feared someone was inside. He sent his younger brother, 15-year-old Kaden Fisher, back to their house to call 911 while he ran toward the smoke-filled home.
“I panicked and didn’t hesitate to run into the smoke and find a window to warn him,” Fisher said. “I was thinking he might not be able to get out the front door or that he was hurt.”
Fisher banged on a bedroom window until the resident, Andee Collins, woke up.
Collins said he had gone to bed early after a long workday and had not heard his smoke alarm sound.
“Next thing I know, Jayton was beating on my window screaming, ‘Wake up, wake up, your house is on fire,’” Collins said. “I jumped up, started running throughout my house to get dressed, get my car keys, get a hoodie on, and I yelled for my dog, grabbed her, then opened the front door.”
When Collins opened the front door, flames were already engulfing the porch.
“My porch was in flames. I had to jump completely off my porch to clear it,” Collins said. “It was ice cold outside, and I had nothing on but shoes, pants, and a hoodie.”
Collins wrapped his dog in a blanket from his car while Fisher stayed with him and explained what he had seen, and Collins thanked him graciously. By the time Collins reached 911, emergency crews were already en route.
Police secured the scene while the Cordell Fire Department arrived quickly and extinguished the fire before it spread further.
At no point did Fisher lose focus.
“I was completely focused on getting him and his dog out of the house,” he said. “Even after he was out, I continued to stand in the cold by his side until everything was over. I’m very thankful I was able to get him out.”
According to Fire Chief Seth Slaughterback, the fire originated at the front of the structure. “A heat strip, which was down in the ground, was completely charged, burning its way towards the deck, igniting the north west corner of the front porch, and then spreading from there.”
Collins said the home is not livable and that he will have to relocate, though some personal items may be salvageable.
“If it wasn’t for Jayton, the fire department and police showing up fast, it could have been way worse,” Collins said. “This has changed my perspective. I’m not going to take people or things for granted.”
Collins said he has received overwhelming support from family, friends, and coworkers and expressed deep appreciation for Fisher’s actions.
“Family and friends continue to thank me and are very proud of my help,” shared Fisher.