A MAN suffered burns to 75 per cent of his body and was left fighting for his life after a robot vacuum exploded in his face and set his house on fire.
Lachie Perrem was critically injured when the faulty robotic cleaning device blew up in the kitchen of his home in Perth, Australia, on July 2.
Lachie Perrem was left fighting for his life after a robot vacuum blast in his home Credit: Jam Press
He suffered burns to 75 per cent of his body Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
‘He is facing an incredibly long road ahead,’ his mum Fiona said Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
Lachie has had skin grafts on his fingers, as well as his arms and torso Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
The explosion left his home ablaze and Lachie, in his 20s, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening burns.
His mother, Fiona Perrem, said he was placed under sedation in hospital after suffering burns to approximately 75 per cent of his body.
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“He is facing an incredibly long road ahead, with multiple surgeries, extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and months of recovery,” she wrote in a GoFundMe.
The explosion was caused by a fault in the robotic vacuum cleaner, though it wasn’t immediately clear if the fault was in the device’s electrics or its lithium-ion battery.
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Lachie was rushed to hospital and sedated after the blast Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
He underwent multiple operations to remove damaged tissue and apply skin grafts Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
The device was sent to Perth’s building and energy office for further investigation.
Lachie, from Brabham, in Perth has had multiple skin grafts to his fingers, left elbow and torso since his accident at the start of July.
He also had debriding operations, where dead, damaged or infected tissue is surgically removed.
He woke up from his coma two weeks after being rushed to hospital.
His mum Fiona recently shared he’d had his feeding tube removed and was making “great progress” in hospital.
She said: “His grafts are healing well, and the physio team is extremely happy with his progress, especially with the movement in his hands.
“Today was another big milestone as his feeding tube was removed.
“His face and neck are healing really well too.
He woke up from his coma two weeks after the accident Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
Fiona said the burns on his face and neck are healing well Credit: Jam Press/GoFundMe
“Every step forward is a huge achievement, and we’re so grateful for the incredible care he’s receiving and for everyone’s ongoing support, encouragement and donations.
“Thank you all for continuing to stand by Lachie and our family as he continues his recovery.”
Lachie has also been able to leave his hospital room briefly and spend time outside in a courtyard and “enjoy some fresh air”.
“It may seem like a small thing, but moments like these mean so much,” Fiona said.
“Every day Lachie continues to make progress.
“We know there is still a long road ahead, but we’re incredibly grateful for each improvement and for the ongoing support, kindness and prayers from everyone.”
The explosion left Lachie, his fiancée and their housemates without a home.
Fiona launched a GoFundMe to help cover his living expenses, as well as housing and rehabilitation costs.
Lachie and his fiancee and housemates lost their home in the explosion Credit: Jam Press
His family have launched a GoFundMe to help with costs Credit: Jam Press
The appeal has so far raised nearly A$45,000 of its A$55,000 target through over 500 donations.
Fiona wrote: “While our focus is on helping him survive and heal, life outside the hospital doesn’t stop.
“Bills continue to arrive, and he still has financial commitments, including the repayments on his car.
“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 instead of worrying about losing everything he has worked so hard for.”
Lachie’s business, The Tradie Vault, has also been placed on hold while he recovers.
In a post on social media after the accident, Perrem’s fiancee, Bri Thompson, said he was “fighting the biggest battle of his life,”
“Our entire life has changed in a matter of moments,” Bri said.
“Lachie is genuinely the most giving person there is.
“Anyone who knows him knows he would give absolutely anything to help someone else.
“He is always the first to put his hand up, the first to help and would never expect anything in return.”
