Peggy Mitchell: her beloved pub goes up in smoke
In some of the most explosive scenes in Eastenders history, the Queen Vic burst into flames trapping several people inside. Landlady Peggy Mitchell watched in horror as her beloved pub burned to the ground, trapping her son Phil inside.
The fire marks the end of Peggy’s Eastenders reign and was started by crack addict Phil. Angry and desperate for a fix after an emotional showdown with his mum, Phil struck a match and threw it to the floor, sending the pub up in flames.
As everyone desperately evacuated the Vic, Stacey Slater and her daughter Lily were trapped upstairs by the raging flames as fire-starter Phil was stuck under a fallen wooden beam.
After several attempts to re-enter the burning building, Peggy and Billy Mitchell managed to get back into the Vic to rescue Phil from the deadly flames as Ryan saved Stacey and Lily from being engulfed by the raging inferno.
Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy, announced in October 2009 that she was leaving the show this year and speculation has been rife as to how her character would bow out. The veteran actress has played the part of Peggy for 16 years and is considered one of Albert Square's most loved characters.
It was thought that Peggy would perish in the fire but the Queen Vic was the only casualty. With Barbara Windsor set to leave Eastenders, Peggy Mitchell will be greatly missed.
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