Man dies in Christmas Day fire while saving engagement ring

A California man was about a week away from proposing to his girlfriend. So when a fire broke out at their house on Christmas day, Steven Weatherford Jr. tried his best to get back the engagement ring he had hidden from his lover. Unfortunately, the 37-year-old man passed away while searching the house.

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What happened in the Christmas Day fires in California

According to KTVUSteven saved his family from the fire but remained in the ring. His people told the outlet he had been meaning to ask LaShante Mayo to be his fiancée on New Year’s Eve. Steven was at the home of his father, Weatherford Sr., in Oakland when the fire broke out. Authorities received the call around 6:15 a.m. on Christmas Day.

His aunt, Eunice Smith, allegedly told KGO that Steven Weatherford Jr. is also “trying to save everyone” by making sure the house is well-ventilated. However, she added that he may not have known they all went out the back. Smith said her other nephew called Steven out of the house and family members heard the 37-year-old man screaming. “…He never got over it,” Smith said.

Firefighters eventually found Steven’s unconscious body in the house. At this time, the Oakland Fire Department ruled the house fire an accident.

Loved ones and neighbors Description Steven Weatherford Jr.

Neighbors of the affected family came out GoFundMe campaign to support the family partly financially. The campaign said the Weatherfords have lived in the area for more than 40 years and Steven Jr.’s mother. passed away just a few years ago.

“In this time of unimaginable grief, as their neighbors and along with many others in our neighborhood who wanted to do something, we created this GoFundMe on behalf of for Steve and his family. This fund was established to help cover the costs of Steve Jr.’s immediate financial needs and memorial service. The family will receive 100% of your donation. No one should have to bear that sadness alone, especially during the holidays. Every donation, no matter how small, will help ease their burden and help them honor the memory of Steve Jr.”

Steven Weatherford Jr.’s girlfriend, LaShante, calls him “the nicest person” anyone will ever meet. “He loved his family, his friends and everyone,” Mayo said. She didn’t know he was planning to propose. It’s unclear whether firefighters were able to retrieve the engagement ring.

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