Jay Leno's doc says he is 'optimistic' about TV host's recovery after he was severely burnt in garage fire
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After one of his cars caught fire on Saturday, Nov 12, Jay Leno suffered severe burns in a garage fire, he shared Monday, Nov 14. "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 72-year-old Leno said in a statement. Now the veteran television host's doctor has expressed optimism that he could be released from the hospital within the next week.
Dr Peter Grossman, the head of the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, revealed Leno had burns to "approximately 7% of his body" in an interview with NBC News. He described the burns on the TV star's face, hands, and chest as "relatively serious." It's "too early to tell whether there's going to be any permanent damage," according to Grossman, to the star's face.
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The doctor continued, saying it was routine practice to apply temporary skin grafts from "human cadaver skin" to Leno's body. He stated that he will return to the operating room in "a few days" with a more long-term fix. "Remove that and then we'll assess what he needs from there and hopefully definitely get his wounds to close," he said. In general, burns are probably the most painful type of injury, according to Grossman, but Leno appears to have a "very high pain threshold." "He’s also very stoic individual and he’s just not one who wants to complain," Grossman said, adding that Leno has been "very gracious, he’s very friendly." "He’s very appreciative," Grossman said. "He’s got a very positive attitude. He’s humbled by the amount of outpouring of affection, and perhaps even a little embarrassed of the attention that he’s getting for it. He just wants to be a regular guy and get back to work." In his conclusion, Grossman said he didn't want to "speak too early" but was certain that Leno will have a "very positive outcome," reports Today.com.
On November 16, Grossman stated that he was unsure of how long Leno would need to be in the hospital but that he hoped to get him out as soon as possible. "It’s a little bit too soon to talk about when he’s going to be released," he said, adding that burns can be unpredictable. "I’m hoping that it would be within a week but again, I don’t know for sure."
On November 15, NBC News was informed by a source close to the comic that Leno had burns on the left side of his face. The 'Jay Leno's Garage' host and passionate vehicle collector, according to the source, was repairing his 1907 White Steam Car at his Burbank, California, garage when it caught fire. The informant claimed that Leno was repairing a blocked fuel line when petrol leaked and gasoline splattered on his face. The insider added that the fire was ignited by a spark, and all of Leno's scheduled appearances for the following two weeks have been canceled.