Handout / Havasu Health and Hyperbarics
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Dr. Walter Foxcroft, a 43-year-old physical therapist, tragically died after a flash fire erupted inside a hyperbaric chamber at his clinic, Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This incident marks the second hyperbaric chamber fatality this year, following a similar tragedy in Michigan involving the death of a 5-year-old boy.
Foxcroft, who founded his integrative hyperbaric wellness center in 2024, used Fortius 420 hyperbaric chambers manufactured by Oxyhealth. Shannon Kenitz, the executive director of the International Hyperbarics Association (IHA), noted that Foxcroft had completed the association’s safety training and described him as “very passionate about hyperbaric therapy.”
— Source: Havasu Health and Hyperbarics website havasuhealth.com
However, safety protocols at facilities using Oxyhealth chambers often fall short of stringent guidelines. In many hyperbaric clinics that use these chambers, patients are not required to wear all-cotton clothing and are even permitted to bring personal items like cell phones, laptops, and iPads into the chambers, significantly increasing fire risks. The exact circumstances surrounding Foxcroft’s presence inside the chamber at the time of the incident remain unclear.
— Source: Havasu Health and Hyperbarics Facebook Post
The Lake Havasu City Fire Department responded promptly to the emergency call at around 10:50 p.m., discovering smoke throughout the building and the chamber intact but showing evidence of a flash fire. Foxcroft was pronounced dead at the scene. The community mourns the loss of Foxcroft, who was remembered fondly as a dedicated professional and beloved figure.
Given these tragic events, questions have emerged regarding the compliance of Havasu Health and Hyperbarics with NFPA 99 fire codes, which mandate strict safety standards for facilities utilizing oxygen in hyperbaric chambers. Additionally, scrutiny of the IHA’s safety and certification courses is necessary to determine if their current protocols adequately prevent such tragedies. Further investigation is crucial to enhance safety measures and prevent future incidents.
The article was updated on July 13, 2025 to include verified sources identifying the make and model of the hyperbaric chamber referenced.
This site is committed to timely and accurate reporting. If substantial new information becomes available, a separate update will be published.
Sources:
Official Website of Lake Havasu City – Flash Fire in Hyperbaric Chamber
Havasu Health and Hyperbarics Press Release
Havasu Heath and Hyperbarics – Website | Facebook Page
International Hyperbaric Association (IHA) Safety and Certification Course
⚠️ Choose an Accredited Hyperbaric Therapy Provider for Your Safety ⚠️
Prospective and current hyperbaric patients must exercise due diligence. Use the links below to find accredited facilities that follow strict safety protocols—and report any that do not.
✅ Search for accredited hyperbaric facilities
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