A 25-year-old man is in critical condition after a robotic vacuum cleaner malfunctioned and exploded, sparking a house fire that has left him with severe burns over three-quarters of his body. Lachie Perrem was injured in the blaze at his home in Brabham, Perth, Australia, on the evening of Thursday, July 2. Emergency services responded to reports of a fire, and paramedics rushed Perrem to Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.
Extent of Injuries and Ongoing Treatment
Perrem remains in the hospital's burns unit under sedation as doctors work to save his life. He has already undergone multiple surgeries following the incident. Medical staff anticipate he will remain hospitalized for at least the next two months while he recovers from burns covering 75 percent of his body.
Family and Fiancée's Response
Perrem's fiancée, Bri Thompson, described the ordeal as “completely unimaginable.” She stated, “Our entire life has changed in a matter of moments and everything has been incredibly intense and overwhelming. Lachie has an incredibly long road ahead of him, and right now all we want is for him to keep fighting.” His mother, Fiona Perrem, who lives on the opposite side of the country, is traveling to Western Australia on Tuesday to be by his bedside. She said, “Our family has been turned upside down after my beloved son was critically injured in a tragic explosion at his home. While our focus is on helping him survive and heal, life outside the hospital doesn’t stop. We want to ease as much of that burden as possible so that, when he wakes and begins his recovery, he can focus entirely on getting better.”
Investigation into the Cause
Video footage from the scene, captured by 7News, shows the fire's intensity, with singed and blackened walls in the kitchen and lounge. Building and energy inspectors are investigating the cause of the fire, focusing on the appliance believed to have started the blaze. Firefighters told news.com.au that the fire was triggered by an explosion “accidental due to a fault in a robotic vacuum cleaner.” A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said, “The device has been sent to Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) for further investigation.”
Community Support
An online fundraiser has been established to assist with Perrem's recovery, raising nearly £11,400 (approximately $14,500 USD) so far. The funds aim to ease financial burdens so that Perrem can focus entirely on healing when he wakes.
