A 37-year-old man tragically lost his life in a house fire on Christmas morning after heroically rescuing his family members but dying while searching for an engagement ring that he planned to propose with on New Year’s Eve. The man, identified as Steven Weatherford Jr., was found unconscious inside the burning home in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard around 6:15 a.m.
According to Michael Hunt of the Oakland Fire Department, firefighters arrived at the scene and battled the blaze. As they searched the home, they discovered Weatherford unresponsive. He had been overcome by smoke and was unable to escape the fire.
Relatives and loved ones described Weatherford as a loving and selfless individual. His girlfriend, LaShante Mayo, tearfully spoke about the man she called “Gummy Bear” because of his affectionate personality. “Steve was truly the best person you could ever meet. He loved his family, his friends, everybody so much. He died trying to get them out of the house,” she said, visibly grieving outside the destroyed home.
Weatherford, who lived in Antioch but had been visiting family in Oakland for the holiday, had managed to get his father, brother, and aunt to safety. However, he chose to re-enter the house to retrieve an engagement ring he had recently purchased for Mayo. The couple had planned for him to propose to her on New Year’s Eve.
“I didn’t know. They told me this morning… I had given up on love until I met him,” Mayo said, still in shock over the news of her partner’s tragic death.
Authorities believe the fire was accidental, and the family has been devastated. The Oak Knolls-Golf Links neighborhood has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Weatherford’s family during this difficult time.
Article Source: FoxKTVU
