Perth tradie Lachie Perrem has finally been discharged from hospital after spending roughly eight weeks fighting for his life following a devastating explosion at his Brabham home, with his family describing the milestone as "an incredible feeling" while warning there is still a long road ahead.
The 25-year-old suffered burns to 75 per cent of his body when a robot vacuum cleaner erupted inside the property on 2 July, destroying the kitchen and living room, blowing out windows and blackening walls. The explosion also left serious damage to the home he shared with his fiancée and housemates.
Weeks of Surgery and Critical Care at Fiona Stanley Hospital
Mr Perrem was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he was admitted to the State Adult Burns Unit and placed in an induced coma. He also temporarily lost his voice as a result of the catastrophic injuries he sustained.
Over the following weeks, he underwent at least three major surgeries, including skin grafts to his fingers, left elbow and torso, as well as wound debridement procedures. The extensive treatment required reflects the severity of the burns he received across such a large portion of his body.
After approximately eight weeks in hospital, Mr Perrem was well enough to be discharged and return home, a development his mother Fiona Perrem announced with joy and relief through the family's GoFundMe page.
Family's Emotional Reaction to Lachie Perrem Coming Home
"We have some amazing news, Lachie has officially been discharged from hospital!" Ms Perrem wrote in her update. "After everything he has been through and so many surgeries, seeing him finally home is such an incredible feeling."
A photograph accompanying the post showed Mr Perrem standing outside the Burns Unit with long black bandages covering both arms, a visible reminder of the recovery journey still underway.
His mother was candid about what lies ahead, noting that her son still requires dressing changes several times a week and faces considerable healing. "He still has a long road ahead, with dressing changes a couple of times a week and plenty of healing and recovery still to come, but being home is a huge milestone," she wrote.
She also paid tribute to her son's character throughout the ordeal. "We are so incredibly proud of how far he has come. His strength, determination and courage throughout this whole journey have been nothing short of amazing."
The family also expressed deep gratitude to the wider community for its support. "Thank you to everyone who has supported Lachie and our family, sent messages, donated, checked in and kept him in your thoughts. We will never be able to thank you enough," Ms Perrem said.
GoFundMe Surpasses $46,000 as Investigation Continues
The family's crowdfunding campaign has now raised more than $46,000, with donations helping to cover Mr Perrem's ongoing medical and living expenses. The rental property he called home sustained extensive damage in the explosion, adding financial pressure to an already enormously difficult situation.
The cause of the explosion remains the subject of a formal investigation. The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety seized the robotic vacuum cleaner for specialist laboratory examination following the incident.
A departmental spokesperson confirmed investigators welcomed news of Mr Perrem's recovery, and said electrical inspectors had retrieved items from the property for testing to determine what contributed to the fire. "Due to the complexity of the laboratory testing, our investigation is expected to continue for several more months," the spokesperson said.
The brand and model of the vacuum cleaner involved have not yet been disclosed publicly.
For now, the focus for Mr Perrem and his family remains on his continued recovery at home, with the community's support proving a vital lifeline through one of the most harrowing experiences a young family could face.
