Man Accidentally Burns Down Home After Girlfriend Says Yes To Proposal (Photos)

A New Jersey man accidentally burned down his home just after his girlfriend agreed to marry him.

Millville's Isaiah Cox proposed to his girlfriend on her birthday Thursday morning, according to the South Jersey Times.

He then went to the kitchen to make a celebratory breakfast but soon heard his 1-year-old son crying in another room.

Cox went to check on the boy, and when he came back, his kitchen was engulfed in flames.

He said,

I had just put the grease on the stove, I went to check on him, it took about a minute, but when I got back the cabinets were on fire. I threw the pot of grease out of the window to try to put it out. I was so confused, I forgot to grab the fire extinguisher that was right there when you enter the kitchen.

Cox's new fiancée, sister, 5-month-old daughter, 1-year-old son and dog were all inside the home at the time.

He rushed them all safely out of the house.

Cox told the South Jersey Times,

I tried to put it out but once I breathed the smoke in I knew it was too much for me.

New Jersey's searing winds helped the fire completely destroy the three-floor building, which housed multiple families.

Firefighters arrived at approximately 10:15 am, but did not have the fire under control until around 1 pm.

The families who lived in the home are currently being provided shelter by the American Red Cross, Daily Mail reports.

No one else aside from Cox's family appears to have been inside during the fire.

It was so cold yesterday morning that Fire Chief Kurt Hess had icicles on his helmets.

The direct cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Citations: Man set his own house on fire cooking celebratory breakfast for his girlfriend after proposing to her (Daily Mail), Millville fire started with birthday breakfast after wedding proposal (The South Jersey Times)