Firefighter fakes own house fire to propose to girlfriend
A firefighter staged a fake fire at his home in order to surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal.
Zach Steele, 30, used smoke machines to create the illusion of fire at his home in Ventura County, California, in the USA. The stunt took place in November last year.
![The firefighter staged a fire then proposed to his girlfriend. [Photo: SWNS]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/e2_bfjTlUa1.Cdo1SNRE2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/e367f3b34c358b4118dcfccb36184c61)
Placing six remote-controlled machines in the attic of his house, Zach managed to convince his university sweetheart Maddison Ridgik, also 30, that the building was on fire.
At the time, the couple were hosting friends and family for a party.
![Zach used smoke machines to create the illusion of a blaze in the attic. [Photo: SWNS]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HIo4QI4K23SIsD4WKLSYaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/b5390a1514eaf9cda94e049e7e291491)
Meanwhile, Zach was nowhere to be seen, having claimed he was at the supermarket.
Soon afterwards, he arrived with colleague Brian Mulvehll in a fire truck, before getting down on one knee and proposing to Maddison.
![Maddison was convinced there was fire coming from their house’s attic. [Photo: SWNS]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dwiYVGNjiZiPsF0t8VbvPA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/621744ee6c90e6ef435e07f754df0bac)
According to US publication Inside Edition, Maddison’s initial response upon seeing her now-fiancé turn up was: “What is happening? This is not freaking funny. Is our house fine?”
However, she soon warmed up, Zach told the publication.
“I think she saw my face and calmed down, and realised what was going to happen,” he said.
![Thankfully, Maddisson saw the funny side when Zach proposed. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_F3FTFA.4hVLUhqaXrbdRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/fc6f9ddb778b569591bec05f24e3503e)
Maddisson told SWNS: ““When he got down on one knee, I was so emotional. I was still shaking and crying yet so excited. It was truly the best, most indescribable moment of my life.”
Not every marriage proposal goes so to plan. Recently, a cyclist unwittingly wrecked a couple’s honest proposal photo after three months of planning.
In another instance, a man’s wedding proposal halfway through his girlfriend’s first marathon went down well with his bride to be, but divided the internet.
Additional reporting from Elizabeth Victoria/SWNS.com.
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