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A 25-year-old man is in critical condition after a robot vacuum cleaner reportedly caught fire, causing a devastating blaze that left him with severe burns over 75% of his body.
Lachie Perrem suffered catastrophic injuries when the fire broke out at his home in Brabham, Perth, Australia, on July 2. Emergency services responded quickly, and paramedics transported Lachie to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he remains sedated in the burns unit. Medical teams have performed multiple surgeries as they continue to fight to save his life.
The incident has deeply affected Lachie’s family and loved ones. His fiancée, Bri Thompson, described the ordeal as “completely unimaginable,” highlighting the overwhelming and intense nature of the past few days.
Lachie’s mother, Fiona Perrem, who lives on the opposite side of the country, is making arrangements to travel to Western Australia to be by her son’s side during his recovery. She expressed the family’s heartbreak, saying their lives have been turned upside down by the tragic event.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with initial reports indicating the blaze was triggered by a malfunction in the robotic vacuum cleaner. Firefighters confirmed the fire stemmed from an accidental explosion linked to the device. The vacuum has been sent to the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety for further examination.
Footage from the scene shows extensive damage, with walls blackened and scorched throughout the kitchen and living areas. Fire crews managed to contain the fire after it had rapidly spread through the home.
Lachie is expected to remain hospitalized for at least two months as he begins a long road to recovery. A fundraiser has been set up to assist with his rehabilitation expenses, raising nearly $15,220 to date in support of his ongoing medical care.