An East bay man died in a Christmas fire after saving his family; local authorities stated he was also searching for an engagement ring.
A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Oakland on Christmas morning when a 37-year-old man lost his life in a house fire after bravely rescuing his family.
Steven Weatherford, Jr. tragically perished while searching for an engagement ring he intended to present to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve, according to authorities and family members.
The Incident
Firefighters from the Oakland Fire Department responded to a house fire on Oak Knoll Boulevard around 6:15 a.m. Upon arrival, they began battling the flames and conducting search operations within the structure.
It was during these efforts that they discovered Weatherford unconscious inside the home.
Relatives have described Weatherford as a loving and selfless individual, affectionately nicknamed “gummy bear” for his warm personality.
His girlfriend, LaShante Mayo, tearfully recounted his heroism outside the charred remains of the house, stating, “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.”
A Family Celebration Turned Tragic
Weatherford, who lived in Antioch, had been visiting his family’s home in Oakland for their annual Christmas celebration.
This gathering has been a cherished tradition for decades, as noted by Weatherford’s aunt, Eunice Smith.
“This is a yearly celebration.
And when I say yearly, I mean going on for 40, 50 years. It’s not one of those things where it’s every other year,” Smith explained.
During the fire, Weatherford successfully helped his father, aunt, and brother escape the flames, yet he chose to re-enter the house instead of leaving with them.
His family revealed that he was searching for an engagement ring stored in a safe—a ring he had recently purchased to propose to Mayo.
“He was going to propose, yeah,” a stunned Mayo said.
“I didn’t know; they told me this morning… I had given up on love until I had met him.”
The Aftermath and Community Support
Fire officials have indicated that the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.
The loss of Weatherford has left his family and friends in profound grief, as they grapple with the tragedy of his sacrifice.
In response to this devastating event, residents of the Oak Knolls-Golf Links neighborhood have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Weatherford’s family during this challenging time.
The community’s outpouring of support underscores the love and respect for a man who gave everything for those he cared about.
As the family mourns the loss of Steven Weatherford, Jr., they remember him not just for his tragic end but for the love and joy he brought into their lives.
His heroic actions during the fire serve as a poignant reminder of the selflessness and bravery that can emerge in the face of unimaginable danger.
Check in daily for more Local News.
Also Read: UPDATE: Milpitas Father Killed Wife And 2 Kids Before Shooting Himself
About The Author
Leave your thoughts below.
Read Daily Market News – https://franknez.com/ for more news and updates like this.