( KRON ) — A man was killed in a fire early Christmas morning in Oakland while getting his family out of the house, according to the Oakland Fire Department. OFD responded to the blaze at 6:15 a.m. at a residential structure in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard.
Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle diverted back to San Jose
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters attacked the blaze. After alerting his family — father, aunt and brother — 37-year-old Steven Weatherford died in the fire.
Weatherford’s family said he woke up to the fire and got everyone else out of the house. According to fire officials, he likely became disoriented and was overcome by smoke.
Crews found him unconscious inside while searching the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed to be accidental.
“Our heart goes out to the family and their neighbors,” OFD said.
Weatherford was preparing to propose to his girlfriend and had the ring in the house when the fire happened, his family told KRON4.