A 25-year-old man is in critical condition after a robotic vacuum cleaner exploded in his home in Brabham, northeast of Perth, on Thursday afternoon. Lachie Perrem suffered severe burns to approximately 75 percent of his body and was rushed to the burns unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he remains sedated after multiple operations. His loved ones have not yet been able to speak with him.
Freak Accident in Kitchen
The explosion occurred in the kitchen of the home Perrem shares with his fiancée and housemates. Video footage from the scene shows blown-out windows and blackened walls, with damage extending from the kitchen into the living room. Investigators have confirmed to 7NEWS that a fault in the robotic vacuum is the likely cause of the accident.
Family Speaks Out
Perrem's fiancée, Bri Thompson, described the past few days as “completely unimaginable.” She said, “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 is currently in Queensland, is making plans to travel to Perth on Tuesday to be by his side. “Our family has been turned upside down after my beloved son was critically injured in a tragic explosion at his home,” she said. “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 Underway
Building and energy inspectors are now examining the product believed to be responsible for the explosion. Firefighters have noted that blazes ignited by robotic vacuums are rare, with only three incidents reported in the past two years.
Long Recovery Ahead
An online fundraiser has been established to support Perrem during his recovery, which is expected to require at least two months in hospital. The community has rallied to provide assistance as the family faces an uncertain and challenging road ahead.
