**Police Were Called After What They Found in Jay Leno’s Garage**

Jay Leno, legendary comedian and car collector, has long been known for his Burbank garage—a sprawling sanctuary housing over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles, each a testament to American engineering and history.

But one evening, a dramatic incident turned his beloved Big Dog Garage from a dream into a nightmare, leaving fans and authorities stunned.

It happened at 6:32 p.m., on an otherwise quiet night in Burbank. The calm was shattered by a sudden explosion inside Leno’s garage, followed by plumes of smoke and the piercing wail of sirens.

Neighbors, used to the hum of engines, rushed outside as police and fire crews responded to reports of a possible explosion and a trapped occupant. Security footage captured the first signs of disaster, and within moments, Jay Leno himself was dragged out of the burning building by his longtime friend and mechanic, his clothes singed and his face blackened.

Inside, chaos reigned. What started as a routine maintenance procedure on a rare 1907 White steam car—a favorite of Leno’s—had gone horribly wrong. The car, powered by volatile fuels and open flames, suffered a cracked fuel line.

Gasoline vapor met a pilot flame, creating a sudden fireball that engulfed Leno’s face and chest. His mechanic, Dave Kiliki, acted quickly, tackling Jay and beating out the flames before dragging him to safety. But the damage was done: Jay suffered deep second- and third-degree burns, and the fire threatened to consume both the man and his priceless collection.

As firefighters battled the blaze, the risk of further explosions loomed. The garage was filled with experimental engines and antique vehicles, each one a potential hazard.

The fire, fueled by vintage oils and gasoline, spread rapidly, but the garage’s advanced ventilation system helped contain the destruction. Paramedics found Jay conscious but badly burned, still cracking jokes even as he was rushed to the hospital. “Save the cars,” he whispered, emphasizing the depth of his passion.

Jay was treated at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles, undergoing multiple surgeries and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Doctors marveled at his resilience and humor, even as he faced a long recovery. Meanwhile, police and fire investigators combed through the wreckage, confirming the explosion was accidental—a result of aging fuel systems and the inherent risks of working with century-old machinery.

The incident sent shockwaves through the car collecting world and raised questions about safety in vintage garages. Jay, ever the showman, downplayed the event publicly but took responsibility for the accident. He began a quiet campaign advocating for modern safety upgrades in antique collections, insisting, “You can love the past, but you’ve got to protect the present.”

Remarkably, Jay Leno refused to let the fire end his story. Just weeks after the accident, he returned to the stage and his garage, determined not to let fear or injury keep him from his passion. He oversaw a complete restoration of the facility, installing state-of-the-art fire suppression systems and replacing every old fuel line himself. The garage reopened, gleaming and safer than ever, with Jay at the wheel of a restored steam car—scars visible but spirit undiminished.

For Jay Leno, the fire was not a tragedy but a test of devotion. The police found not a crime scene, but the cost of obsession and the heart of a man who lives for his craft. His scars became his armor, and his resilience inspired fans worldwide. In the end, Jay Leno’s garage—and his legacy—emerged stronger, a testament to passion, survival, and the enduring power of doing what you love.