A 37-year-old Auckland man saved his family from a fire at their home on Christmas morning, but died after losing consciousness while returning home to look for an engagement ring.
Family members told KRON news station 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 house fire in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard around 6:15 a.m., according to authorities.
Weatherford was the first to spot the fire and woke his father, brother and aunt.
His girlfriend, Rashante Mayo, told the news station that he helped everyone escape to safety but returned home to retrieve the engagement ring from the safe.
“He was truly the best person you could be,” she said. “He loved his family, his friends and everyone so much. He died trying to get them to leave the house. … He was super funny, beautiful and the kindest person you could ever meet.
Authorities believe Weatherford was likely disoriented by the smoke after he lost consciousness.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
