Jay Leno was hospitalized on Sunday after a freak car fire left him with “serious” facial burns.
The former “Tonight Show” host and avid car collector, 72, was in the Los Angeles garage where he stores his dozens of prized vehicles when one of them burst into flames, TMZ reported on Monday.
Sources told the outlet that the explosion severely burned the left side of Leno’s face but did not injure his eye or ear.
He was transported to the Grossman Burn Center in LA, according to the report.
Leno later confirmed news of the accident in a statement to Variety.
“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” he said. “I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
The “Jay Leno’s Garage” star was MIA from a scheduled appearance in Las Vegas on Sunday night due to what was described as a “very serious medical emergency.”
He was supposed to perform at the Financial Brand Forum 2022 but was forced to cancel shortly before, according to an email sent to the conference’s attendees.
“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,” read the notice, which People obtained Monday morning.
“All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
As of June of this year, Leno’s impressive car collection boasted over 180 vehicles, including exotic cars, hypercars and museum-grade artifacts, according to US News & World Report.
However, the magazine noted that his multitude of automobiles also features numerous affordable and attainable cars.
It’s unclear which of Leno’s vehicles may have malfunctioned.
