A family spent Christmas day grieving the loss of a heroic son who died saving their lives in a catastrophic house fire.
Steven Weatherford had made plans to propose to his girlfriend Lashante Mayo on New Years Eve, and was spending Christmas with his family for their annual holiday celebration.
The 37-year-old was sleeping on the couch of his father’s home in Oakland, California, when he was woken by smoke and flames.
He frantically woke up relatives who were still asleep, including his elderly father.
Weatherford’s aunt Eunice Smith told ABC that he was a hero who died ‘trying to save everybody, make sure everybody was out of the house.
‘He was a good person. He was a good family man. He saved his family. He saved four people in that house. He woke them up and he saved them and he went back – I guess because he wasn’t sure that everybody was out of the house.
‘He was a hero.’
Weatherford’s girlfriend tearfully told CBS News that she’d learned after the tragedy that he intended to propose.
Steven Weatherford had made plans to propose to his girlfriend Lashante Mayo on New Years Eve, and was spending Christmas with his family for their annual holiday party
Weatherford’s girlfriend tearfully revealed that she’d learned after the tragedy that he intended to propose
Mayo’s mother, Sandra Clark said ‘he had brought the ring.
‘He didn’t get a chance to give it to her. But it is in the house, and we are going to find it.’
In a GoFundMe set up to support the family, loved ones revealed Weatherford’s grieving father lost his wife four years ago.
‘Now, he faces the unbearable grief of losing one of his sons in such a sudden and tragic way.’
The Oakland Fire Department has not yet determined the cause of the inferno.
The Oakland Fire Department has not yet determined the cause of the inferno
When first responders arrived and were able to get inside the home, they found Weatherford’s body
A spokesperson said he was ‘overcome and likely disoriented by the smoke’
Crews received a call about 6.15am reporting a house fire.
When first responders arrived and were able to get inside the home, they found Weatherford’s body.
A spokesperson said he was ‘overcome and likely disoriented by the smoke.’
He was ‘ultimately found unconscious inside while crews were continuing to search the house.’