Jay Leno suffers serious face burns after flames erupted from exhaust of 72-year-old TV legend’s car without warning
FORMER Tonight Show host Jay Leno has reportedly suffered "serious face burns" after one of his cars erupted in flames without warning.
The scary incident occurred at Leno's garage when one of his vehicles unexpectedly went up in flames, causing severe burns to the left side of his face, according to .
In a statement to , Leno said: “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
The flames did not penetrate his eye or his ear, TMZ reported.
The 72-year-old TV legend is currently admitted into Grossman Burn Center's burn ward.
Leno was scheduled to appear at the Financial Brand Forum 2022 in on Sunday evening, but he was a no-show after organizers were made aware of a "health emergency," according to an email obtained by .
"His family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling," the email read.
"All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight."
Leno has been open about his extensive car collection, being the proud owner of over 100 cars and motorcycles, he revealed in an interview with .
His massive Big Dog Garage in Burbank, , spans a whopping 140,000 square feet and takes five staff members to help Leno look after his motors collection.
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To Leno, his 1986 Lamborghini Countach, 1972 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.9, 1951 Plymouth Station Wagon and 1994 McLaren F1 are among his favorites from his 100-plus car hall.
"I drive it on the road. I’m not a race car driver; I’m just a guy that enjoys driving," Leno told Auto Express of his McLaren F1.
Leno's rise to superstardom rose after he became the host of The Tonight Show in 1992.
The New Rochelle, New York native went on to host the NBC late-night talk show for over 20 years before he officially handed the mantle to in 2014.
He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame that same year.
Since his Tonight Show exit, Leno has hosted Jay Leno's Garage and the 2021 revival of You Bet Your Life.
He reviews classic cars and supercars and does car restoration at his Big Dog Garage for the CNBC show.
LENO'S HEALTH WOES
Leno has had his share of health scares over the last few years, revealing that he had a blockage in his heart in 2019.
He revealed he was taking medication and using a portable EKG device that monitors his heart rhythm and detects irregular heartbeats.
The 72-year-old comedian has previously been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
"There's a lot of people walking around (with risk of heart attacks or strokes), they're just time bombs," Leno said at the time.
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"You've got all this cholesterol, you don't realize it until it actually hits, you know? It's like in a car, if even one piece of dirt gets in the eye of the needle of the jet, and boom and no more gas comes through.
"And that's what happens with your heart."
