​Tony Hsieh, Retired Zappos CEO, Dies After New London House Fire

NEW LONDON, CT — Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of Las Vegas-based online shoe retailer Zappo's who spent years working to transform the city's downtown, died Friday, according to multiple reports. He was 46 years old.

The cause of Hsieh's death was injuries suffered in a Nov. 18 house fire in New London, Megan Fazio, a spokeswoman for The Downtown Project in Las Vegas, told The New York Times. The Downtown Project was a revitalization effort Hsieh oversaw.

“Tony’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone around him, and forever brightened the world,” a DTP Companies statement said. “Delivering happiness was always his mantra, so instead of mourning his transition, we ask you to join us in celebrating his life.”

Hsieh was in Connecticut visiting family when the fire broke out. His death was also confirmed by Zappos in a statement from the company’s chief executive, Kedar Deshpande.

RELATED: 1 Hospitalized After House Fire In New London

Hsieh recently retired from Zappos after 20 years leading the company, according to The Associated Press. The online shoe retailer shared a tribute on social media late Friday.“The world has lost a tremendous visionary and an incredible human being,” the statement said. “His spirit will forever be a part of Zappos.”

Hsieh was a Harvard University graduate who joined the company — then called ShoeSite.com — in 1999. Zappos was sold to Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2009, but Hsieh had remained with the company until his retirement.

Fire crews responded to the blaze on Pequot Avenue after receiving reports of people trapped inside the home, officials wrote in a post on Twitter. Initial reports said one person was sent to the hospital.