OAKLAND, Calif. - A 37-year-old man was killed in a fire in Oakland after rescuing his family from a burning home on Christmas morning, authorities said.

Michael Hunt of the Oakland Fire Department said firefighters were dispatched to a house fire in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Boulevard at around 6:15 a.m.

Hunt said firefighters attacked the blaze and, as they were searching the house, found the victim unconscious inside the residence.

Relatives identified the victim as Steven Weatherford Jr.

Fire officials said the man had likely been overcome by the smoke and died.

Loved ones said Weatherford lived in Antioch but was at his family's home in Oakland to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Authorities said Weatherford rescued his father, aunt, and brother from the home, but he went back inside to search for something. The family said Weatherford went to grab an engagement ring that was in a safe.

They said Weatherford had recently bought the engagement ring for his girlfriend and planned to pop the question on New Year's Eve.

Hunt said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

Resident in the Oakland neighborhood have created a GoFundMe campaign to help the family get through this tough time.