Jay Leno hopes to recover from 'serious burns' in a few weeks

After suffering ‘serious burns’ in his garage, Jay Leno hopes to recover in a few weeks

People stand around a black vintage car as a white-haired driver opens the driver-side door.

By Jonah ValdezStaff Writer

Nov. 14, 2022 Updated 3:47 PM PT

Jay Leno suffered burn injuries in a car fire at his Burbank garage over the weekend.

“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 former late-night TV host told The Times in a statement Monday.

Burbank fire paramedics were called to Leno’s Garage in the 3100 block of North Damon Way for an emergency medical call on Saturday afternoon, said Battalion Chief David Burke, spokesman for the department.

The fire crew treated one adult male and transported the patient to a local emergency room, Burke said.

People first reported on Leno’s “serious medical emergency” after he canceled his Sunday appearance at a conference in Las Vegas.

TMZ reported Monday morning that Leno had suffered a serious burn injury to his face from a sudden car fire and was being treated at Grossman Burn Center in West Hills. His condition was not released.

Leno, the former host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” is a classic-car enthusiast known for his extensive automobile collection. He is also known to regularly work on his cars in his Burbank garage, where he stores more than 160 cars and 130 motorcycles.

He currently hosts the TV series “Jay Leno’s Garage,” which streams on Peacock. He also used to make regular appearances on the Speed Channel’s show “My Classic Car,” where he would walk viewers through his collection and take some of his collectible cars out for a spin.

Leno recently completed taping of his revival of the game show “You Bet Your Life,” which does not resume until June. The incident will not affect the schedule, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Times staff writer Stephen Battaglio contributed to this report.