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Fans of comedian and former The Tonight Show host Jay Leno were shocked to learn that he was seriously burned in a gasoline fire on Sunday.
The comic is well known for being a car enthusiast and has an extensive collection of classic vehicles of his own. The accident in which he was burned occurred in a Los Angeles garage where he stores many in his collection.
Leno confirmed to Variety yesterday that while the accident was serious he is "okay" and in treatment at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.
\u201cBREAKING: Comedian and longtime television personality Jay Leno has been seriously burned in a car fire. https://t.co/EidG0IeTFF\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1668454879
Leno told Variety:
“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 Grossman Burn Center confirmed in a statement that Leno suffered burns to his hands and face in the accident.
\u201c#UPDATE: A statement from The Grossman Burn Center where Jay Leno is being treated for burns to his face & hands from a gasoline accident in his garage. He is \u201cin good humor and touched by all the inquiries into his condition.\u201d @KTLA @KTLAnewsdesk\u201d— Rachel Menitoff (@Rachel Menitoff) 1668460297
The Grossman Burn Center's announcement also relayed a statement of thanks to fans from Leno, which read:
"He is in good humor and is touched by all the inquiries into his condition and well wishes..."
Leno also assured his fans he is in "the best burn center in the United States."
Though Leno has suffered injuries to his face, his eyes and ears are reportedly unaffected by the accident.
The accident was first discovered when Leno missed a scheduled stand-up performance in Las Vegas over the weekend due to an unnamed health issue. An email from the show's venue, The Financial Brand's Forum, to attendees stated:
"[Leno's] family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling."
"All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight."
According to TMZ, the first outlet to report on the incident, the accident occurred because one of Leno's many suddenly erupted into flames for reasons that are as yet unknown.
On Twitter, people were horrified by the accident but glad to hear Leno is doing well.
\u201c@HuffPost @MsMeMsMe Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1668454879
\u201c@HuffPost Used to see him every Sunday at the Rock Store. Really nice, friendly guy. Hope he recovers quickly. \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1668454879
\u201c@Variety Get well soon. \ud83d\udc95\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1668454305
\u201cYikes! Hate to read this! Hope he gets better soon! Glad he's alive! \ud83d\ude31\u201d— Faux George McCaskey *Parody* (@Faux George McCaskey *Parody*) 1668457267
\u201cGlad to hear your ok Jay Leno & get some rest\u201d— David Zaldivar (@David Zaldivar) 1668455189
\u201cHoly cow this is awful news about Jay Leno. I hope he's able to fully recover. https://t.co/CiOc26diMD\u201d— Ryan McCaffrey (@Ryan McCaffrey) 1668460646
\u201cFrom the entire @GasMonkeyGarage family, we're praying for a speedy recovery from the legend \ud83d\ude4f Can't wait to see you back in action @JayLeno\u201d— Richard Ray Rawlings (@Richard Ray Rawlings) 1668476105
\u201cHopefully a speedy recovery. \ud83e\udd1e\u201d— Stacia G (@Stacia G) 1668499938
\u201cOh man, this is rotten news. Best wishes to Jay Leno for a speedy recovery.\u201d— David Burge (@David Burge) 1668453866
Leno has hosted his own show about cars, Jay Leno's Garage, on CNBC since 2015, and also pens a regular column for Popular Mechanics magazine.