California man dies in house fire after saving family searching for engagement ring

A man from California who plans to propose to his girlfriend New Year’s Eve died in a Christmas house fire while searching for the ring.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday and later found Steven Weatherford Jr. unconscious inside the home, according to officials at Oakland Fire Department.

They said he probably died of smoke inhalation.

Family members have identified the victim killed in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

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“Steve was truly the best person you could ever meet. He loved his family, his friends, everyone so much. He died trying to get them out of the house,” said Weatherford’s girlfriend, LaShante Mayo, for Fox 2 as he stood in front of the fire. home.

Authorities said the fire was “accidental” and Weatherford – who was visiting the Oakland home to celebrate the holidays – rescued his father, aunt and brother before going back inside to look for something.

Family members have identified the victim killed in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

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The family said Weatherford returned to retrieve an engagement ring that was in a safe. according to Fox 2. Weatherford recently bought the ring for his girlfriend and planned to propose on New Year’s Eve.

“He was going to propose, yes,” Mayo said. “I didn’t know, they told me this morning… I had given up on love until I met him.”

Officials did not immediately confirm to Fox News whether the ring survived the fire.

Family members have identified the victim killed in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

The neighborhood created a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with immediate financial needs and memorial expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, he had collected nearly $10,000 in donations.

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The fundraiser notes that Weatherford’s father, who lost his son and home in the fire, is still mourning the recent loss of his wife.

GoFundMe organizers did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

Fox 2 San Fransisco’s Aja Seldon, Jesse Gary and Sami Mamou contributed to this story.