Tony Hsieh Was Trapped in Storage Unit During Fatal Fire, Died of Smoke Inhalation, Police Say

The New London Police Department confirmed that the 46-year-old entrepreneur was trapped inside a storage unit during a fire inside a house at 500 Pequot Ave., New London, Connecticut on Nov. 18, according to CT Post.

“Individuals at the scene informed emergency personnel that a man, who was later identified as Anthony Hsieh … 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 the victim, Anthony Hsieh, and (extinguished) the fire,” the police said.

Firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 3:30 a.m. Upon arriving, emergency responders saw “dark smoke emanating from the back of the residential structure.”

 

A Broadcastify audio recording reveals an exchange between the city’s dispatchers, firefighters and responding police officers, saying the man was inside an outbuilding attached to the main part of the home, “and the male is barricaded … he’s not opening the door. Everyone else is outside the house. They’re trying to get him to open up,” according to The Day.

The emergency team was able to retrieve Hsieh from the house. New London Fire Chief Thomas Curcio told The Day that the emergency personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Hsieh before he was rushed to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

He was later transported to the Connecticut Burn Center at the Bridgeport Hospital via a helicopter.

Hsieh died as a result of complications from accidental smoke inhalation on Nov. 27, according to the office of the chief medical examiner in Connecticut via Insider.

Authorities are still investigating the case.

Feature Image via Getty