40 years ago: Fire evacuation leads to discovery of runaways

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 20, 1973:

Damage estimated at $1,500 had resulted from a fire this week at the West Hills apartments, 1012 Emery Road. The fire had started in a third-floor apartment when a pain of grease on a stove had overheated, igniting the curtains and cabinets in the kitchen. Lawrence police noted that during their process of alerting nearby residents of the need to evacuate, one resident had slammed the door in their face. Because of the danger to nearby apartments, police had reopened the door, only to discover two runaway girls, ages 13 and 14, in the apartment with the two male occupants. The girls had been released to their parents in Raytown, Mo., while the men, ages 21 and 22, had been released without charges being filed.