Albany woman’s DIY underground sauna explodes, leaving life-changing burns
Suzan Seherin 
An Albany woman is recovering from life-changing burns after a homemade underground sauna suddenly exploded in Western Australia’s Great Southern region.
Katja Grosse, 41, had gone to the underground “sweat lodge” on her property for a relaxing session when the blast occurred.
Gas-filled sweat lodge erupts in flames
The underground room was set up like a simple kitchen stove and fuelled by a gas bottle and lighter.
Grosse believed the fire had gone out, but she did not realise the gas valve was still on.
When she tried to reignite the stones, the enclosed space filled with gas and erupted in a sudden fireball.
She later told 7NEWS she looked at her hands and saw “pure flesh,” instantly knowing she needed urgent hospital care.
Hospital treatment and advanced burn surgery
Grosse was flown to Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, where specialists treated burns to more than 50 per cent of her body.
She spent almost three weeks in hospital and has undergone multiple operations, including skin grafts and spray-on skin treatments.
Plastic surgeon Dr Jeremy Rawlins said her injuries combined flash flame burns with scalding from hot liquid, calling the damage “significant” and life-threatening.
He credited skin-graft surgery and new spray-on skin technology with helping save her life.
First aid message: cool water saves skin
Doctors treating Grosse stressed that early first aid can dramatically reduce the need for surgery.
They recommend 20 minutes of cool running water on burn injuries within the first three hours after an accident.
Experts in Western Australia say good first aid can halve the amount of surgical treatment required for serious burns, which can be the difference between recovery and long-term disability.
From sweat lodge to place of meditation
The underground sauna was built more than 30 years ago and will not be used again following the explosion.
Instead, Grosse hopes to transform the space into a quiet place for meditation and reflection as she continues her rehabilitation journey.
As a non-citizen, she faces significant medical costs and has launched an online fundraiser to help cover her treatment expenses.
Despite the ordeal, Grosse says she feels grateful to be alive and wants her story to warn others about the hidden dangers of DIY gas-powered saunas.
Source: 7 News
Featured Image: 7 News
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