A family spent Christmas Day mourning 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 Year’s Eve, and spent 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 awakened by smoke and flames.
He frantically woke family members who were still sleeping, including his elderly father.
Weatherford’s aunt Eunice Smith told the story ABC that he was a hero who died “trying to save everyone, making sure everyone 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, rescued them and went back – I think because he wasn’t sure everyone was out of the house.
‘He was a hero.’
Weatherford’s girlfriend said it through tears CBS News that she had learned after the tragedy he planned to propose.
Steven Weatherford had made plans to propose to his girlfriend Lashante Mayo on New Year’s Eve, and spent Christmas with his family for their annual holiday party.
Weatherford’s girlfriend tearfully revealed that she learned he was planning to propose after the tragedy
Mayo’s mother, Sandra Clark, said: ‘He took the ring.
“He didn’t get a chance to give it to her. But it’s in the house and we’re going to find it.’
In one GoFundMe set up to support the family, loved ones revealed that 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 enter the home, they found Weatherford’s body
A spokesman said he was ‘overwhelmed and probably disoriented by the smoke’
At around 6:15 am, the emergency services received a report that there was a house fire.
When first responders arrived and were able to enter the home, they found Weatherford’s body.
A spokesman said he was “overwhelmed and probably disoriented by the smoke.”
He was “eventually found unconscious inside as crews continued to search the house.”