Jay Leno is recovering in the hospital after suffering severe burns in a garage fire, but reports say the story could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the intervention of the comedian’s quick-thinking friend.
Leno was working on his 1907 White Steam Car at his massive Burbank, CA, garage on Nov. 12, trying to fix a clogged fuel line, when gas sprayed onto his face and hands then ignited. According to entertainment website TMZ, the left side of Leno’s face and his hands were badly burned, and while his eyes and ears were not damaged, he may need skin grafts.
But now TMZ reports Leno might have perished in the blaze if his friend hadn’t been on hand. The buddy, referred to only as Dave, was fortunately standing close by and jumped on Leno, smothering the flames.
The former "Tonight Show" presenter and host of "Jay Leno’s Garage," which is filmed at the storage warehouse where the comedian was injured, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. TMZ said Leno will remain in the hospital for five to 10 days and has cancelled engagements for the next two weeks to give him time to recover.
But Leno was able to confirm from the hospital that his situation wasn’t life-threatening.
“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” he told Variety.“I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
Although it sounds like Leno might suffer from some lasting damage to his skin, we’re relieved the outcome wasn’t worse. And though we’re definitely not suggesting Leno was anything but unlucky, if you’re like us, you might be reflecting on all the times things could have gone badly wrong when you were wrenching on your own car. Most of us have done dumb things like lying underneath a car while smoking, lying under a car that’s only supported by a jack and no axle stands and tearing into a rusty floor with a grinder without wearing goggles. There might not always be a Dave around to save the day.
