Jay Leno Reveals His “Face Caught On Fire” Durning Garage Explosion Accident
3 min read
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Last month’s terrifying car garage explosion caused Jay Leno’s face to catch fire due to a clogged fuel line. A fire broke out in the garage of Leno’s Los Angeles home while he and his friend, Dave Killackey, were working on a 1907 White Steam Car. In an interview with host Hoda Kotb on Wednesday, Leno, 72, explained that he was underneath the fuel line because it was clogged. Suddenly, boom, I got a face full of gas after saying, “Blow some air through the line.” Upon seeing the pilot light jump, Leno said his face “caught on fire.” Leno said that despite the horrific circumstances, he calmly relayed the information to Dave Killackey. As I was being pulled from the fire, Dave Killackey, my friend, jumped on top of me and smothered the flames,” he explained.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY's @hodakotb, Jay Leno is opening up for the first time about the terrifying fire that caused severe burns to his face, chest and hands. Tune in to the Today Show tomorrow to see the full interview. https://t.co/YvS8dpOc8g
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 13, 2022
In order to treat third-degree burns to his face, chest, and hands, the host of “Jay Leno’s Garage” was immediately transported to Grossman Burn Center. He remained there for 10 days. Two grafting procedures were performed and numerous hyperbaric chamber sessions were performed to reduce swelling, increase blood flow and kill bacteria. Throughout his recovery, Leno has remained positive and upbeat. In a matter of days, he was back onstage at Hermosa Beach’s Comedy & Magic Club, where he performed to a sold-out crowd. In an essay published Sunday in the Wall Street Journal, the comedian joked that his “brand-new face” is better than before.
Jay Leno Reveals His Face Was Caught On Fire During A Garage Explosion When Working On A 1907 White Stream Car With Dave Killackey
After suffering severe burns in a horrifying freak accident last month, Jay Leno recounts his dramatic rescue by a close friend. On 12th November, the comedian and car enthusiast revealed what caused the fiery explosion in the 72-year-old former “Tonight Show” host’s garage. The car was a 1907 white steam car. When he spoke with “Today” anchor Hoda Kotb about working on the vintage car alongside close friend David Killackey, he explained that the fuel line was clogged. The line sounded clogged, so I told him to blow some air through it. I got gas all over my face after Jay Leno said the fuel line made a noise. I caught fire when the pilot light jumped, he remembered. Thanks to Dave Killackey, Jay Leno said he acted quickly.
A friend of mine, David Killackey pulled me out of the fire and jumped on top of me to smother it. I said, ‘No, Dave, I’m on fire.’ Dave said, ‘All right, Dave.’ I replied, ‘No, Dave, I’m on fire.’ And then, ‘Oh, my God.’” Leno replied. During a 10-day stay at Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles, Leno was treated for third-degree burns to his face, chest and hands. In addition to skin grafts, Leno underwent another surgery. In the new “Today” interview, scarring was not immediately apparent. Upon his release from the clinic on Nov. 21, he was all smiling in a photo with clinic staff. On the very next day, Jay Leno was spotted cruising around Los Angeles in several of his classic cars. Just over two weeks after the incident, he performed a comedy set at the Comedy & Magic Club in California’s Hermosa Beach to a sold-out crowd. Despite this, Jay Leno had trouble parking and struck a police vehicle.
