California man dies after saving family in Christmas Day fire

A 37-year-old Oakland man who saved his family on Christmas morning by waking them up to a fire in their home died after going back inside and losing consciousness while searching for a ring. engagement.

Family members told news channel KRON that Steven Weatherford plans to propose to his girlfriend next week on New Year’s Eve.

The Oakland Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a home in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard around 6:15 a.m., according to authorities.

Weatherford was the first to notice the fire and woke his father, brother and aunt.

He helped get everyone to safety, but entered the house to retrieve an engagement ring from a safe, his girlfriend Lashante Mayo told the news station.

“He truly was the best person anyone could be,” she said. “He loved his family, his friends and everyone so much. He died trying to get them out of the house. …He’s super funny, handsome, the kindest soul you could ever meet.

Authorities believe Weatherford was likely disoriented by the smoke when he lost consciousness.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.