South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 29 March 1842.

Destructive for at Woolwich.

About half past three on Saturday morning flames were perceived issuing from the roof of the "Bull Tavern" in Bull-fields, kept by Mr. Boyd, late Sergeant of the Royal Artillery.

On the alarm being given a great concourse of persons hastened to the spot, and the Sappers and Miners, under the command of Lieutenant Yorke, R.E., with the engine attached to their barracks, will promptly on the spot, but they could not bring the engine into operation from want of water; the part of the town in which the "Bull Tavern" was situated being only supplied by an old couple, who realised a livelihood by its sale. The men of the Sappers were, therefore, told off in the most advantageous manner, for the purpose of removing the property within reach, a service which was done with a spirit and activity that did them much credit.

When the conflagration had assumed a very serious aspect, and the bar and roof were falling at quick intervals on those who were in the house, a private of the Sappers and Miners, whose name we understand to be Malcolm Campbell, was suddenly struck with the recollection that Mr. Boyd, who was in a partial state of insensibility, was in the room within the bar.

Campbell at once rushed into the inner apartment, and undismayed by the dangers which surrounded him, and dragged the landlord from the chair on which he was sitting through the flames into a place of safety in the street.

The Royal Artillery and the Royal Marines shortly afterwards arrived with their engines, and water having been procured from a great distance, a considerable quantity was discharged against those parts of the building which were likely to communicate with other houses in the rear.

Several men of the different corps at the same time engaged in removing all ignitable articles from the vicinity of the fire in front of the house, and when engaged in this hazardous and important business, the whole of those so employed were severely injured by the falling of the principle wall of the building upon them without the slightest warning to afford them time to escape.

Two men of the Royal Artillery, one of them belonging to the band, five Sappers and Miners, and two civilians were conveyed to the hospital, where they obtained prompt assistance, and, fortunately, they are now considered out of danger.