Old Fountain

Greenwich Gazette. 3 January 1836.

Fire in Greenwich.

On Monday morning about 2 o'clock, the "Fountain" public house, situated in Stable-yard-street, was discovered to be on fire by a young man named Stephen Samwell, who lodged in the house.

Samwell succeeded in escaping from the flames by the back part of the house; and though having but one arm, immediately placed a scaffold pole at one of the front windows, by which the landlord Mr. Poulter, his wife, and their son, a little boy, all in the state of nudity, were enabled to escape.

The fireman from the Royal Hospital and their engines, headed by Lieutenant Risers, were promptly on the spot; but unfortunately water could not be obtained. The opening of the fire-plug, which is close to the premises, being choked up with stones, full an hour elapsed before anything like effective resistance to the flames, which raged with fury and threatened to destroy the houses opposite, and those adjoining was attainable.

By this time the Southwark fire engine, which was, immediately on the discovery of the fire, sent for by Inspector Mallileau and Sergeant Stuart of the police, arrived and a full supply of water being now available.....

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