From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 19, 1970:

• A fire had destroyed the building and stock of Quality Oil Co., located eight miles south of Lawrence on U.S. 59, on the previous night. Smoke from the blaze had been visible from Lawrence and for several miles in other directions. The deputy sheriff’s report indicated that the blaze started when a customer drove off while the filler hose was still in the tank of his car. Total loss was not yet determined, but it included the three-room frame building on the site as well as destruction of or damage to the gas pumps, compressor, tires, and oil.
• In other fire news, an overheated deep fryer had caused an estimated $5,000 in damages at the El Matador Cafe in North Lawrence. The owner, Taburico Reyes, said that it was possible that the fryer had been left on accidentally when he had closed the restaurant. The blaze had been contained to the kitchen area and the dining room suffered only smoke damage. Reyes said that it was likely that the cafe would be closed for at least a month for repairs.