"Suddenly I was in the fire": A sauna disaster in Australia

The incident occurred in November 2025 in Albany, Western Australia. The sauna, an underground structure used as a sweat lodge, was built over 30 years ago and heated by a gas-connected stove. Grossa lit the fire, stepped out for a few minutes, and upon returning, discovered the flame had gone out. Unbeknownst to her, gas had continued to accumulate in the enclosed space. The moment she pressed the igniter, the room exploded.

"Suddenly I was completely in the fire," she said.

Grossa held her breath, closed her eyes, and crawled on all fours to find the exit. Once outside, she realized the severity of the situation: her skin was burned over large areas, her hair was singed, and her clothes had begun to stick to her body. She quickly removed her clothing and called a friend, who placed her under a cool shower before driving her to the hospital in Albany. From there, she was flown to the burns unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.

Doctors diagnosed severe burns on approximately half of her body. She required several surgeries, including skin grafts and skin cell spray treatment. While doctors initially estimated a three-month hospital stay, Grossa was discharged after just 19 days. She credited meditation for helping her cope with pain and anxiety during her recovery, noting that she even tried to maintain a sense of humor.

Plastic surgeon Jeremy Rawlins stated that the team was pleasantly surprised by her recovery rate, describing her as a patient determined to heal. Grossa is currently continuing her rehabilitation, which includes wearing compression bandages and protecting her skin from the sun. She plans to convert the site of the exploded sauna into a quiet meditation space. Her friends and family have launched a fundraising campaign to assist with her medical and rehabilitation expenses.