As EastEnders continues its highly anticipated anniversary week, the BBC soap has delivered yet another jaw-dropping twist.
The February 19th episode saw chaos erupt in Albert Square as an explosion at the Queen Vic led to a shocking and unexpected death.
The drama kicked off in the previous episode when Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) lost control of his car and crashed into the barrel store behind the Queen Vic,
which was filled with gas canisters. The resulting explosion left the residents of Walford fighting for their lives as the iconic pub went up in flames.
Chaos Ensues Inside the Queen Vic
In the aftermath of the explosion, several key characters found themselves trapped inside different parts of the Queen Vic, struggling to escape the wreckage.
Among them were two pregnant women, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), who ended up stuck together in the kitchen. As the fire raged on and the building continued to collapse around them, they faced the terrifying reality of their situation.
Meanwhile, Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) was on a desperate mission to save her sister Sonia. Fearing for Sonia’s safety—and deeply concerned about the actions of Reiss—Bianca braved the burning wreckage to reach her. When she finally found Sonia, she discovered that her sister had already gone into labor amid the chaos.
Reiss Faces a Gruesome Fate
As Sonia struggled through the early stages of labor, Reiss tried to keep up the pretense that everything was fine. However, his attempts to downplay the situation were quickly overshadowed by the continuing destruction of the Queen Vic.
Just when it seemed that the worst was over, a fresh wave of disaster struck. As the building weakened further, debris began to fall. Reiss was hit by small rubble, knocking him off his feet. Trying to brush off the danger, he quipped, “Well, that was close.” But in a tragic and darkly ironic twist, a bathtub suddenly came crashing through the roof—landing directly on top of him and killing him instantly.
Reiss’ shocking and brutal demise marks the first casualty of the Queen Vic explosion storyline, but with the situation still unfolding, the question remains: will there be more deaths before the crisis is over?
What’s Next for the Residents of Walford?
With the pub still in a precarious state and several beloved characters still trapped or in peril, tensions continue to rise in Albert Square. Sonia’s labor adds another layer of urgency to the situation—will she and her baby make it out safely? Meanwhile, Bianca, Lauren, and others are still in grave danger as the fire spreads and the structure remains unstable.
The EastEnders anniversary episodes have been packed with high-stakes drama, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Reiss’ death is just one of the many shocking twists that have unfolded, and with the week’s episodes still in progress, more heartbreak and surprises are likely on the way.
A Game-Changing Anniversary for EastEnders
The decision to stage such a massive disaster as part of the show’s 40th anniversary has proven to be a bold move. The Queen Vic explosion has shaken the very foundations of Albert Square—both literally and figuratively. It has also created a ripple effect that will undoubtedly impact the characters and their relationships for months to come.
As fans eagerly await the next episodes, speculation is running wild. Will Sonia and her baby survive the ordeal? Could there be more casualties before the flames die down? And what does Reiss’ sudden and grisly death mean for the wider Walford community?
With the EastEnders team expertly crafting one of the most dramatic storylines in the soap’s history, one thing is certain: the anniversary week is far from over, and even bigger shocks could be just around the corner. Stay tuned to see how the fallout from the Queen Vic explosion continues to unfold.
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