EastEnders fans have began speculating which residents could meet an untimely end after an explosion ripped through The Queen Vic pub in tonight’s episode.

Following an argument between Ian and Cindy Beale (Adam Woodyatt and Michelle Collins) – sparked by the fact his mum Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) had just confessed to attacking her on Christmas Day – she pushed him in front of a vehicle.

The car was being driven by a manic Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), who was trying to flee the area after coming face to face with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).

He swerved, narrowly missing Ian, but crashed straight into the pub’s barrel store.

As flames surrounded the vehicle, landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon) dragged him to safety – but he soon disappeared.

Panic then set in as George realised the fire was dangerously close to a number of gas bottles. Before he could get everyone out, an orangey glow engulfed the entire building.

Ian lay on the floor and watched as parts of his local boozer crumbled away.

But who inside will die?

Ruby Allen actress Louisa Lytton actress has already ruled out being killed off – despite only being back for a limited time.

Her on-screen boyfriend Martin Fowler (James Bye) has also been tipped to meet his maker after floral tributes were spotted beside his beloved market stall in aerial photos of the show’s Hertfordshire production base.

Whilst a number of our favourites were still inside of the building, it isn’t yet clear who made it into the marquee across the road.

We saw Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), his sons Harry and Barney (Elijah Holloway and Lewis Bridgeman) and ex-wife Nicola (Laura Doddington) flee the scene.

Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) can also be ruled out, as they were in The Arches trying to save Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) from taking his own life.

Things look worrying for Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) however, as she was upstairs in the pub, drying off a spilled drink just moments before.

Cindy and Kathy also headed inside to encourage those inside to make a quick escape.

Could they perish?

As ever, fans have been playing armchair detective and taking to social media to speculate who could have an appointment with the Grim Reaper.

Metro reader @JackProverbsPR speculated: ‘Money’s on Martin!’, whilst another, @CherylLFC70 said: ‘I honestly thought Sonia but that might be too obvious. Hopefully Cindy.’

Posting a video of Big Brother star David Potts screaming expletives, X user @eds_afterglow wrote: ‘SHARON IS STILL UPSTAIRS.’

@eastend_rose added: ‘Sharon went upstairs’, with several shocked emojis.

Denise decides, you choose. How to vote

To access the vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at BBC.co.uk/account, on or before February 19.

The vote will officially open at 8:30pm on Wednesday February 19 at BBC.co.uk/EastEnders. It will close at 7:10pm on Thursday February 20, so the result can be incorporated into the live episode, which will broadcast at 7:30pm from BBC Elstree Centre that very evening.

‘Imagine everyone is dead except Ian and the live episode is just his one man show’ joked @sanawich93.

@boujeebx was more concerned about the Knight family’s beloved pooch, writing: ‘f**ckkk not the ceiling blew off? welp. That’s Tyson dead.’

‘Martin or Ruby are SO dead’ added @JAK3TT.

@chloe_whittonn agreed, saying: ‘DONT TELL ME MARTINS DEAD.’

@K_S_L_2 said: ‘Surely everyone in the Vic is dead now? It was a huge explosion!’

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out who is knocking on death’s door, but if the fans are right – Sharon and Martin are at risk.

EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer at 7.30pm, for an epic hour-long special.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

MORE: EastEnders ‘confirms’ who attacked Cindy Beale as missing locket is unexpectedly found

MORE: Cindy to expose attacker as wedding outcome confirmed in EastEnders 40th anniversary

MORE: Who attacked Cindy Beale in EastEnders? All the suspects examined