A man is in critical condition at a hospital after a robot vacuum cleaner malfunctioned and exploded, causing a house fire that resulted in severe burns covering 75% of his body. Lachie Perrem, 25, suffered extensive injuries in the fire that destroyed his residence in Perth, Australia, last Thursday evening. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene in Brabham following reports of the fire and transported Lachie to Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth for urgent medical care.
Lachie remains in the burns unit under sedation as medical professionals work tirelessly to save his life. He has already undergone multiple surgeries in response to the traumatic incident. The aftermath of the devastating house fire has left his family, friends, and loved ones in shock, with his fiancée Bri Thompson expressing the overwhelming and unimaginable impact of the situation.
Fiona Perrem, Lachie’s mother, residing in a different part of the country, is arranging to travel to Western Australia to be with her son during his recovery. She described the family’s upheaval following the tragic explosion at Lachie’s home and emphasized the importance of supporting him through his healing process.
It is anticipated that Lachie will remain hospitalized for the next two months. Video footage from the scene, captured by 7News, depicts the intensity of the fire, showing charred walls in the kitchen and lounge areas where the blaze spread before being extinguished by firefighters.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, focusing on a suspected fault in a robotic vacuum cleaner that triggered an explosion. The device has been forwarded to the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation, and Safety for further examination. An online fundraiser has been initiated to assist Lachie during his recovery, with nearly £11,400 raised thus far to support his ongoing medical treatment.