NEED TO KNOW
- An Arizona doctor died after what appeared to be a flash fire broke out while he was inside a hyperbaric chamber at his wellness clinic
- Dr. Walter Foxcroft was declared dead on the scene when emergency responders arrived at his Havasu Health and Hyperbarics center on July 9
- The cause of the fire is still under investigation
A deadly flash fire inside a hyperbaric chamber has claimed the life of an Arizona physical therapist at the wellness clinic that he owned.
On Wednesday, July 9, Dr. Walter Foxcroft, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel who responded to a call about a medical emergency for a burn patient in the 1800 block of Mesquite Avenue in Lake Havasu City, according to a press release shared by the Lake Havasu City Fire Department.
The call came at approximately 10:50 p.m. local time. Per the release, responders “identified smoke throughout the building and an intact hyperbaric chamber that appeared to have had a flash fire in the chamber with one patient inside.”
Havasu Health and Hyperbarics is located at 1830 Mesquite Avenue, and according to his LinkedIn page and the clinic’s website, Foxcroft is the owner.
No one else was injured in the tragedy, and “the occupancy was ventilated and checked for any other flammable hazards” by the crew before their departure.
It was not clear who made the 911 call or if others were inside the clinic at the time of the fire. However, the press release confirmed that the caller was aware that Foxcroft was inside the hybaric chamber.
The fire is being investigated by detectives with the Lake Havasu City Police Department and fire investigators.
Havasu Health and Hyperbarics opened in 2024 and was billed as a first-of-its-kind establishment in the state by KARK.com.
“Our mission is to offer the most advanced therapeutic technologies available, right here in Lake Havasu City,” Foxcroft, a functional medicine hyperbaric clinician, told the publication at the time. “With HBOT [Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy] and a range of wellness services, we’re providing patients with the tools they need to achieve peak health and recovery.”
Foxcroft received certification from the International Board of Undersea Medicine, per the clinic’s website and Facebook page. He had been a resident of Lake Havasu City since 1998 and went to school at the University of Arizona and Touru University Nevada.
On top of his career in medicine, Foxcroft had history as a student athlete at his alma mater, where he was a mascot.
He was remembered by the Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots organzation at the University of Arizona in a statement shared on Instagram.
“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,” a tribute read, later celebrating “Wally’s dedication to uplifting others — through performance, healing, and innovation.”
According to reporting by local publication the Today’s News-Herald, the center currently has a sign on its door announcing that it is “closed until further notice.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
People who knew Foxcroft remembered him as a father, husband and exemplary worker in tributes shared with the outlet.
“I just remember how kind and thorough he was with each person, never in a rush, answered all questions, talked with family members etc.,” Jonathan O’Neill, a physical therapist in Havasu, told the outlet, noting that he shadowed Foxcroft at work in 2019.
GraceArts Live Theater Director Grace Echevarria said that she had reached out to Foxcroft’s wife, adding that she was “grief-stricken” by the news.
PEOPLE has contacted the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and Police Department for additional information.
Read the full article here
