A man in Perth, Australia, is in a critical condition after a robot vacuum cleaner exploded, causing a devastating house fire. Lachie Perrem, in his twenties, sustained life-threatening burns across approximately 75% of his body and is currently sedated in hospital following the incident last Thursday.
The explosion, which occurred in the kitchen of his Brabham home, resulted in a significant blaze that required four fire trucks to extinguish over two hours. Emergency services confirmed that a fault within the robotic vacuum cleaner was the cause of the fire. Mr Perrem's fiancée, Bri Thompson, and housemates have been displaced, losing their home and belongings in the fire.
While investigators are yet to confirm whether the fault lay with the device's electrics or its lithium-ion battery, the vacuum cleaner has been sent to the state's building and energy office for detailed examination. This incident marks the first reported fire involving a robotic vacuum cleaner in the region, though four fires linked to standard vacuum cleaners have been recorded in the past two years.
Mr Perrem's mother, Fiona, has launched a GoFundMe page to support her son's extensive recovery, which is expected to involve multiple surgeries, prolonged medical treatment, and months of rehabilitation. The fundraiser also aims to cover essential living expenses for Mr Perrem's displaced fiancée and housemates. As of Tuesday evening, the campaign had surpassed £13,000 (AUD $26,000).
The incident has brought into sharp focus the potential dangers of household appliances, particularly those powered by lithium-ion batteries. While convenient, the technology carries inherent risks if components are faulty or damaged. One other woman also required hospital treatment following the fire.