A California man plans to Lunar New Year’s eve While searching for the ring on Christmas Day, he died in a house fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday and later found Steven Weatherford Jr. unconscious inside the home, according to fire department officials. Oakland Fire Department.

They said he likely died from the smoke.

Family members have identified the victim who died in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

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“Steve was truly the nicest person you could ever meet. He loved his family, his friends and everyone so much. He would die trying to get them out of the house,” Weatherford’s girlfriend Rashante Mayo stood told Fox 2 outside the burned-out house. Home.

Authorities said the fire was “accidental” and Weatherford, who was celebrating the holidays at their Oakland home, rescued his father, aunt and brother before returning to the house to search for something.

Family members have identified the victim who died in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

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Family members said Weatherford went back and kept the engagement ring in the safe. According to Fox 2. Weatherford recently purchased the ring for his girlfriend and plans to propose on New Year’s Eve.

“Yes, he was going to propose,” Mayo said. “I don’t know, they told me this morning. … I had given up on love before I met him.”

Officials did not immediately confirm to Fox News whether the ring survived the fire.

Family members have identified the victim who died in an Oakland house fire on Christmas morning as 37-year-old Steven Weatherford Jr.

Neighbors created a to fund me Activities designed to assist the family with current financial needs and memorial expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, nearly $10,000 in donations had been raised.

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The fundraiser notes that Weatherford’s father lost his son and his home in the fire and is still mourning the recent loss of his wife.

GoFundMe organizers did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

Fox 2 San Fransisco’s Aja Seldon, Jesse Gary and Sami Mamou contributed to this story.