Last month, when Leno was tinkering with one of his vintage cars in the garage, a fire broke out and caused horrific burns on his hands, chest, and face. He also suffered third-degree burns to his face – an incredibly agonizing experience.
In an unforgettable experience, US comedian Jay Leno was engulfed in a fire that burned 7% of his body.
Last month, tragedy struck the former Tonight Show host when one of his beloved classic cars unexpectedly caught fire in his Los Angeles garage. He suffered deep burns on his hands, chest, and third-degree ones to his face. Tragically, he suffered crippling second-degree and third-degree burns in the fire. Thankfully, his recovery went well, and on November 21st, he was discharged from the hospital fit to return home.
72-year-old John recently shared in an interview what happened before his injuries: he and a friend were tinkering with the fuel line of their 1907 White Motor Co steam-powered car when they discovered it was blocked.
Recalling the incident, Leno said he was trying to unclog the line when he asked someone to “blow some air through it.” Out of nowhere, I was engulfed in gas fumes, and the pilot light sparked, causing my face to burst into flames. He further added that his friend immediately jumped on top of him while he was engulfed in flames, extinguishing them and saving his life.
Leno was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital and then sent to the esteemed Grossman Burn Center located in Los Angeles, where he received hyperbaric treatment. This oxygen therapy dramatically accelerates burn wound healing. However, the fire burn injuries were so severe that Leno had to stay under observation for over a week.
Leno issued a statement saying that he is “OK” but would need time to recuperate after suffering serious burns from an unfortunate gasoline fire. He said it should only take him a couple of weeks to be back on his feet again.
Dr. Peter Grossman, the Director of the Grossman Burn Center, notified that Leno had sustained burns to around 7% of his body and had received temporary skin grafts using human cadaver skin. After being released from the hospital, Leno was smiling while taking pictures with the medical staff who were a part of his recovery journey. His burns, visible in several images, showcased his incredible resilience and strength.
He declared that he had never perceived himself as a comedian specializing in roasting. Despite the adversity, he emerged triumphant and returned to stand-up comedy just days after his release; his first show was a sold-out performance in California.
“I’m not exactly known for my roasting abilities,” he humorously remarked at the event. “We have two shows tonight – regular and extra toasty!”
Jay Leno, the host of the popular reality series Jay Leno’s Garage, is renowned for his passion and enthusiasm toward cars. It’s estimated that near Hollywood Burbank Airport, his garage houses a whopping 180 cars and 160 motorcycles–a collector’s dream! DuPont Registry, the premier marketplace and publication for rare classic auto aficionados stated this information.
