Jay Leno Opens Up About Terrifying Car Fire And Recovery From Second-Degree Burns
By Movieguide® Contributor
Jay Leno recently opened up for the first time in regards to the terrifying car fire that left him with severe second-degree burns on his face, upper body, left arm, and hands.
Movieguide® previously reported on the accident:
After surviving a dangerous car fire, Jay Leno might need skin grafts to repair his third-degree burns.
The accident took place on Sunday, while Leno was working on a 1907 White Steam Car in his Los Angeles garage. A fuel leak and simultaneous spark caused the freak fire to start.
Leno is famous for his love of cars — his collection boasts over 180 cars, from exotic cars to museum-grade artifacts.
The former talk show host is currently in a burn center in Los Angeles, where he is expected to remain for the next five to ten days.
Leno credits his friend Dave for saving his life, saying he jumped on him and smothered the flames. He sustained serious burns on his hands and face, but his eyes and ears are uninjured.
Leno assured fans he was doing okay in a statement, saying, “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
Leno’s friend Dave Killackey said the TV host “downplays” the accident, describing the incident as “a wall of fire.”
“[He was] engulfed,” Killackey said. “[I] couldn’t see his face.”
After Killackey put the fire out, Leno went to put cold water on his face. The pair knew it was serious when “the first two layers [of skin started] peeling off.”
The pair went to the hospital, where a doctor recommended Leno go to a burn center. He went the next day, and spent nine days having his burns treated.
Leno underwent two skin grafting surgeries and one ear had to be reconstructed. He spent eight hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber to help oxygenate the damaged tissue and allow it to heal.
He has recovered well, and many people wouldn’t even know he had been severely burned. Leno has been open about his injuries, but doesn’t want to complain.
“In the real world … people who work with their hands get injured every single day,” the comedian explained. “I don’t want to be some whiny celebrity. Oh, boohoo. I don’t want to be one of these people. ‘I have all these cars and this beautiful house and look what happened to me!’ People are like: Shut up!”
So, will Leno stop working on his beloved car collection?
“No,” he laughed. “Did I learn from this? Of course not.”
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