Burn survivor Adele Tamati, 53, recalled the traumatic moment from her 50th birthday celebration and how her son helped saved her life

Two images side by side showing a woman left smiling and dressed formally right in a hospital bed with facial bandaging

Adele Tamati in 2020 before her third-degree burns; Tamati in the hospital after the fireplace explosion in 2022.Credit : True Life Stories

 

A mother in Australia thought she “was going to die” when her backyard fireplace — and the ethanol bottle in her hand — exploded and engulfed her in flames at her 50th birthday party in Perth.

Adele Tamati, 53, recalled the traumatic 2022 moment, including how her son saved her life, in an interview published in The U.S. Sun on Feb. 21.

“Suddenly, a stream of flames flew towards me. There was a large bang. I realized I was on fire. It was all a blur,” the student services support officer said. “I immediately remembered ‘stop drop and roll’ as I was first aid trained from work, but I was covered in accelerant. It wouldn’t go out.”

Woman suffered burns.

Adele Tamati and her son, Dene Fowler, in the hospital after the explosion in 2022.True Life Stories

One of her sons, Dene Fowler, tried putting out the flames with dog blankets, to no avail, before Dene yelled at his mom to jump in the pool.

“I listened and made it to the pool gate, but I slipped onto my side. Then, I felt Dene boot me into the water,” Adele recalled to The U.S. Sun of the actions of her son, now 23. “As I hit the water, I felt instant relief. I was gasping for air, thankful I was alive.”

Fowler then jumped into the pool and grabbed his mother.

“But as I looked down, I saw my arms were melting off. My skin was everywhere, floating on the water. … I saw he looked traumatized, but he was also staying strong and calm for me,” noted Adele, who at the time also felt her face bubbling and her lips burning, per the outlet. “He said, ‘Don’t look, mum,’ and made me close my eyes, protecting me from it.”

Fireplace.

A photo Adele Tamati took of the outdoor fireplace before it exploded.True Life Stories

The explosion happened when the mother of two tried to relight the outdoor ethanol fireplace when it went out, per the outlet.

“I told everyone that I’ll top it up. I poured a bottle of ethanol onto the artificial stones in the little wells,” she said, but then it exploded.

The sudden accident engulfed her entire body in flames, and she sustained third-degree burns to her face, neck, chest, right arm, both her hands, torso, stomach, back and left foot, according to The U.S. Sun.

“In that moment, I thought I was going to die,” she said, before giving gratitude to her son and herself. “But thanks to my amazing son, I’m alive. I’m also here today because of me — I’m a warrior and a survivor.”

Woman suffered burns.

Adele Tamati after a surgery in 2022.True Life Stories

At the time of the 2022 incident, Adele was dating mining technician Dion Tamati, who was on a work trip 500 miles away.

“Dion flew back that day and rushed to see me,” Adele remembered of Dion, 54, whom she eventually married on New Year’s Eve in 2024.

Woman suffered burns.

Adele Tamati amid her recovery in 2022.True Life Stories

The U.S. Sun explained that Adele’s immediate recovery process included surgeries, skin grafts and spray-on skin, the latter of which did not work. She also suffered from infections. Weeks after the fireplace explosion, Adele saw what was underneath the bandages for the first time.

“It was bloody, angry, and sore. I hated it,” she told the outlet. “My beauty had been robbed, and I felt like a disfigured monster.”

After five weeks in the hospital, Adele was discharged after undergoing physical therapy and learning how to use her hands again.

Woman suffered burns.

Adele and Dion Tamati on their wedding day in December 2024 with their sons.True Life Stories

“After that, I struggled adjusting to my new reality. Before the accident, I’d always worn makeup when leaving the house. But I knew I’d never look like myself again,” she said, before emphasizing how she found comfort in the burn survivor community throughout her healing process.

“I’ve been doing things each burniversary for myself. I did a photo shoot to show off my scars. I ran for a burns charity. I even set up a local burns community group,” she told The U.S. Sun.