Friends mourn man killed in apartment fire
SEATTLE -- Firefighters pulled out a burning mattress from the back bedroom of a Capitol Hill apartment where Ben Hills lost his life.
Hills, a popular Seattle musician, died in the house fire early Wednesday morning - just days before his 25th birthday. Investigators believe Hills may have fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette in bed.
Friends remember Hills as a hard-rocking drummer who spent his final hours doing what he loved.
"I saw him last night," said friend Niles Larson. "He had band practice, and then we were at a show. He was dancing around, having a good time."
The fire broke out in a bedroom of a triplex in the 500 block of 11th Ave East. Raymond Kempe, who lives at the triplex, had offered Hills, a friend, a place to stay.
"Ben sometimes works at the Comet (Tavern), and Raymond works as a bartender at the Comet. And he was just putting him up for a while to get on his feet."
Around 2:40 a.m., a tenant upstairs smelled smoke and called 911. Kempe came home at about the same time, and rushed into rescue his friend.
But the flames were too fierce, and Kempe was injured before he could reach his friend.
Firefighters rescued Hills and rushed him to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died. Kempe has been treated and released.
Hills was the drummer for the band The Shy Ones, and was well-known in Seattle's music scene.
"He's a fun guy, just an all around fun guy," said Larson. "His birthday was on Friday, coming up."
Hills' friends planned to gather at the Comet Tavern on Wednesday night to remember their friend and musician who meant so much.
Hills, a popular Seattle musician, died in the house fire early Wednesday morning - just days before his 25th birthday. Investigators believe Hills may have fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette in bed.
Friends remember Hills as a hard-rocking drummer who spent his final hours doing what he loved.
"I saw him last night," said friend Niles Larson. "He had band practice, and then we were at a show. He was dancing around, having a good time."
The fire broke out in a bedroom of a triplex in the 500 block of 11th Ave East. Raymond Kempe, who lives at the triplex, had offered Hills, a friend, a place to stay.
"Ben sometimes works at the Comet (Tavern), and Raymond works as a bartender at the Comet. And he was just putting him up for a while to get on his feet."
Around 2:40 a.m., a tenant upstairs smelled smoke and called 911. Kempe came home at about the same time, and rushed into rescue his friend.
But the flames were too fierce, and Kempe was injured before he could reach his friend.
Firefighters rescued Hills and rushed him to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died. Kempe has been treated and released.
Hills was the drummer for the band The Shy Ones, and was well-known in Seattle's music scene.
"He's a fun guy, just an all around fun guy," said Larson. "His birthday was on Friday, coming up."
Hills' friends planned to gather at the Comet Tavern on Wednesday night to remember their friend and musician who meant so much.