On Tuesday a neighbour told RNZ she'd lived next to Louis for 25 years. Photo: Supplied
The man who died in a house fire in Upper Hutt has been named as 69-year-old John Louis.
Emergency services were called to the blaze on Tararua Street in Trentham early Tuesday morning, and later confirmed that one person had died.
Police said the cause of the fire was not believed to be suspicious.
On Tuesday a neighbour told RNZ she'd lived next to Louis for 25 years.
"He was an amazing horseman who bred and raced beautiful thoroughbred horses for man years," she said.
"He had a very successful racing career."
She said Louis had also worked with leather, making everything from shoes, bags and horse saddlery.
"He was an interesting man to chat with as he had knowledge about so many things."
She said he was also a kind and had always looked out for her.
"I will always be grateful to have known him. It's a great loss."
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