An Arizona physical therapist has died after the hyperbaric chamber at his clinic erupted into flames while he was inside it.
Dr Walter Foxcroft, 43, was killed Wednesday after a flash fire broke out inside his Havasu Health and Hyperbarics clinic just before 11pm.
The doctor’s scorched body was found inside an oxygen therapy machine at his clinic, according to the Lake Havasu City Fire Department. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
A flash fire is a rapidly-spreading blaze that breaks out when a cloud of flammable gas, vapor or dust ignites and causes a fast-moving flame.
Hyperbaric chambers – sealed enclosures where barometric pressure is controlled by increasing air or oxygen – are highly flammable due to the high concentration of oxygen they contain.
Firefighters determined the facility was ventilated and checked for other flammable hazards before turning the case over to police and fire investigations.
The cause of the fatal fire remains under investigation.
Crews were called to Foxcroft’s clinic in Lake Havasu City, near the Arizona-California border, at 10.50pm for reports of a person trapped inside a burning hyperbaric chamber.
By the time they arrived on scene, the building was already filled with smoke and flames were raging inside the oxygen treatment chamber.
Foxcroft was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear why he was inside the chamber so late at night.
The late doctor was a board-certified physical therapist with 27 years experience in the healthcare field, according to his clinic.
He was certified in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is used to treat a variety of health conditions including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and non-healing wounds.
He was also trained in neurofeedback, photobiomodulation and spine mobilization.
Foxcroft earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Touro University Nevada in 2012, his LinkedIn profile states.
He founded his Havasu Health and Hyperbarics clinic just last year, which was the first-ever integrative naturopathic hyperbaric oxygen therapy center in the state, KARK reported at the time.
The practice will be closed until further notice while authorities investigate the blaze.
Before studying to become a physical therapist, Foxcroft attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiological Sciences.
During his time at the university, he performed as the school mascot Wilbur T. Wildcat.
Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots, in a heartfelt Instagram post, paid tribute to Foxcroft, saying: ‘Wally was an unforgettable presence on the sidelines – an energetic, charismatic performer known for his signature moonwalk and passion for bringing joy to Arizona fans.
‘He proudly returned for Homecoming, reconnecting with current mascots and sharing his spontaneous spirit as Wilbur with all of us.’
The team continued: ‘Wally’s dedication to uplifting others – through performance, healing, and innovation – will never be forgotten. Thank you, Wilbur, for the spirit, the showmanship, and the legacy you leave behind.’
After his stint as Wilbur, Foxcroft served as the mascot for the Arizona Cardinals and joined the team at Super Bowl XLIII in 2006.
He then returned to school to pursue physical therapy.
Foxcroft is survived by his wife Tiffany and their children.