Firefighters Called To Tony Hsieh's House 3 Times: Report

NEW LONDON, CT — In the two days before former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh died in a fire Nov. 18, firefighters were called to the home two other times, according to The Day. On Nov. 16, firefighters responded to the home twice in an hour.

The first call was at 12:50 a.m., when a smoke alarm in the basement of the waterfront home was activated. Firefighters left after being told the alarm went off accidentally, only to be called back at 1:16 a.m.

A man who answered the door told them there was no problem and he didn't want the cause of the alarm to be investigated, according to The Day. However, firefighters said they needed to assess the situation and went inside.

They found several melted plastic items on a stove inside along with a candle burning in an unsafe location, which was extinguished.

Two days later, firefighters responded due to a fire in a shed at the home.

Those at the home informed emergency crews that a man, later identified as Hsieh, 46, was locked inside a storage area where smoke was coming out at the rear of the residence, and they were unable to get him out.

Emergency personnel breached the storage area door, retrieved Hsieh, and extinguished the fire. He was transported to L+M Hospital where he later died.

The death of Hsieh, who retired in August after 20 years on the job, was ruled by as accidental and the result of smoke inhalation.

Several media reports have noted that the billionaire former CEO was struggling with drug addiction and was attempting to test what his body could live without. Hsieh was experimenting with drugs such as mushrooms and ecstasy, and had an increased intake of alcohol following his retirement, according to People Magazine.

Family and friends were trying to get Hsieh into rehabilitation months before he died, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

See related: Former CEO Died From Smoke Inhalation In New London Fire