An American man who was planning to propose to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve died during a Christmas Day house fire after searching for the engagement ring.
Oakland fire crews were alerted to the blaze in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard around 6:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 25.
Firefighters who were searching the home eventually found the man unconscious inside.
The victim has been identified by relatives as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr., according to KTVU and FOX affiliate KGO.
Weatherford was reportedly looking for an engagement ring when he was apparently overcome by the smoke and fire. Family said he was planning on using the ring to propose to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve.
LaShante Mayo, Weatherford’s girlfriend, said her late boyfriend ‘was truly the best person you could ever meet,’ according to KTVU.
‘He loved his family, his friends, everybody so much,’ added Mayo, who was unaware that he was planning to propose until the day of the fatal blaze.
