A basement fire broke out between 925 and 927 Massachusetts Street, causing damages of well over $100,000 by early estimates. Affected businesses included Pounds, a recently opened yard goods store, the Professional Building, which housed the U.S. Selective Service office, and Doore’s Stationery. Ray Stoneback’s appliance store, south of Doore’s, also suffered some smoke damage. Willard Doores, operator of the stationery store, reported that he heard “popping sounds” and saw flames in the basement area. He fought the blaze with a fire extinguisher, suffering burns on his left arm in the process, then rushed out of the building and contacted the fire department.

There had been an unusual number of damaging fires during the spring of 1970. In April alone, the total fire-related damages in Lawrence were estimated at $2,615,865. This included fires at the Kansas Union, Gambles store, and the Kappa Sigma fraternity house.