Lawrence could prohibit couches on front porches

LAWRENCE, KS (KCTV) -

New rules are in the works which could mean an end to the Lawrence tradition of porch couches.

Couches sitting on porches are a usual sighting around college campuses, but fire officials said they are a hazard and they want them gone.

"It's the first major step in adopting the ordinance, but there's still a second reading that's required to get it fully passed," said Division Chief James King.

The new Lawrence law is almost a done deal, which means seeing sofas and chairs or any indoor furniture outdoors should soon be a thing of the past.

"It's a significant fire problem. It promotes very rapid fire growth and oftentimes it goes undetected until it's too late," King said.

The fire department pushed for the Lawrence City Commission to pass an ordinance after seeing 10 fires in six years linked to sofas on porches with five in just the last two years.

"We are trying to get out ahead of the curve, we've been fortunate with only some serious injuries in some of these fires and no fatalities," King said.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about the extra precautions.

"I still feel if I'm careful it shouldn't matter if couches are out there. It's your personal responsibility," said student Daniel Collins.

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Lawrence could prohibit couches on front porches