Heartbroken friends mourn teenager killed in house fire in Shepparton The fire broke out at the Shepparton home shortly after 4am. Pictures: Carmelo Bazzano Source: News Limited FAMILY and friends have spoken of their heartbreak after a "talented young man" perished in a house fire in Shepparton. Ridge Hilton, 17, was found dead in his bedroom after flames engulfed his family's Orchard Circuit home at 4.15am. Devastated friends fought to hold back tears as they gathered at the scene and remembered the "fun" and "smiley" singer. They played Ridge's own song, LSC Anthem, from a car stereo and saluted the coroner's vehicle as their mate's body was taken away. "I'm never going to forget him," friend Tyson Tahuriorangi, 17, said. He's the bro, he's the cousin, he's the friend. He's one of those people who cared for everyone. Ridge Hilton. Ridge's uncle, Lawrence Horn, said the close-knit family from New Zealand was "shocked." "He was a very talented and very special man," he said. He has been taken way before his time. In tragic circumstances, the teenager had been left home alone while his parents and siblings were on holiday interstate. They are expected to return tonight. Friends gather outside the Shepparton house. Neighbours told how they heard a group of teenagers partying at the house last night. "I was still awake at one o'clock and it was very noisy," Ruci Dewi said. They were talking very loud. It is understood there were six people in the house at the time of the blaze. The others escaped unharmed. Neighbours who reported the fire to emergency services said there were teenagers standing outside the house and smoke was billowing from the roof. Friends comfort each other after the fatal fire. Faye McKenzie said the teenagers had been playing loud music in the hours leading up to the blaze. "There was about six of them playing music and it all went quiet at about 2.30am,"" Mrs McKenzie said. "Then an hour later I heard a boy screaming "Chris, Chris" and banging on the doors and windows. I saw this red glow and smoke coming from the roof and realised the house was on fire. It is such a horrible thing to happen and to lose someone so young. Shepparton police's Sen-Det Anthony Jasinowicz said it would take time to determine the cause of the fire. "It's not believed to be suspicious at this point but the investigation is ongoing and the cause is unknown," he said. He said the fire, which started in a bedroom, had caused extensive damage to the property, making it difficult to sift through and find any evidence as to what sparked the fire. Police investigate the scene this morning. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano He could not rule out whether a cigarette or electrical fault was to blame. It took crews 30 minutes to get the blaze under control. CFA duty officer Shane Sutton said the scene was confronting. The police arson squad is investigating. with Alex White and James Dowling