Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has passed away at the age of 46

Tony Hsieh, the retired CEO of the Las Vegas-based online shoe retailer Zappos.com Anyone who worked for years to change the inner city of the city died. He was 46 years old.

Hsieh was with his family when he died on Friday, according to a statement from DTP Companies he founded. Megan Fazio, spokeswoman for the Downtown Partnership, said Hsieh died in Connecticut. KLAS TV reported.

Puoy Premsrirut, an attorney for Hsieh, told news outlets that Hsieh was injured in a house fire while visiting Connecticut. Additional details were not released immediately. An official cause of death was not disclosed.

“Tony’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone around him and brightened the world forever,” said a statement from DTP Companies. “Bringing happiness has always been his mantra. Instead of mourning his transition, we ask you to celebrate his life with us.”

Hsieh recently withdrawn from Zappos after 20 years of running the company. The online shoe retailer shared a tribute to social media late Friday.

“The world has lost an enormous visionary and an incredible person,” said the Explanation said. “His mind will forever be a part of Zappos.”

Hsieh was a Harvard University graduate who joined the company – and then called ShoeSite.com – 1999. Zappos was sold to Amazon for $ 1.2 billion in 2009, but Hsieh had stayed with the company until he retired.

For years he too worked to revitalize downtown Las VegasIn 2013, $ 350 million was pledged for the redevelopment. In the same year he moved Zappos’ headquarters in the former Las Vegas City Hall building.

“Tony Hsieh was instrumental in transforming downtown Las Vegas,” said Steve Sisolak, governor of Nevada tweeted Friday night. “Kathy and I send our love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

A wave of tributes flooded social media as news of Hsieh’s death spread.

“Tony Hsieh is perhaps the most original thinker I’ve ever been friends with,” said former venture investor Chris Sacca tweeted. “He questioned every assumption and shared everything he’d learned along the way. He was really excited to make everyone happy.”

Skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk added“Tony Hsieh was a visionary. He was generous with his time and willing to share his invaluable expertise with everyone.”

“A truly original thinker, a brilliant entrepreneur, and a kind and generous friend to so many” tweeted Entrepreneur Max Levchin.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Tony Hsieh’s last name.