Fire burning! It'll be a toasty Christmas in Albert Square... but which EastEnders will survive to see the New Year?

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 1:44 AM on 24th December 2011

It's fires blazing for a second time in Albert Square this Christmas, as the B&B goes up in flames for a sizzling 2011 finale.

Masood Ahmed, played by Nitin Ganatra, does all he can to save his ex-wife Zainab (Nina Wadia) from the influence of the evil Yusef Khan- played by Ace Bhatti- but sadly his efforts are met with a terrifying revenge from the evil doctor.

It's still anyone's guess who bites the dust, but it certainly looks as though this will be the last Christmas at least one EastEnder sees.

Ruthless: The evil doctor Yusef (played by Ace Bhatti) sets fire to the B&B in a bid to kill arch-rival Masood (Nittin Ganatra) during the explosive EastEnders Boxing day episode

Left to burn: It doesn't look hopeful for Masood as the fire creeps closer to his unconscious body

Left to burn? It doesn't look hopeful for well-meaning Masood as the fire creeps closer to his unconscious body

Events come to a head when Masood discovers that she has been drugged by Yusef.

Masood bravely confronts Yusef, however the villain manages to escape, and heads straight to the B&B to wreak his devastating revenge.

He is hotly pursued by Masood, however a fight between the pair leaves Zainab's would-be savior unconscious.

Horrified: Syed (Marc Elliott) and boyfriend Christian (John Partridge) hold back Zainab (Nina Wadia) as she desperately tries to enter the B&B to save Masood

Yusef then starts a fire in a ruthless attempt to put an end to his arch-rival.

Realising what has happened, the rest of the family rush over to try to save Masood and extinguish the blaze.

Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, has his own demons to battle meanwhile.

Fireworks: Christian, Patrick (Rudolph Walker) and Kim (Tameka Empson) watch as the B&B explodes

Cowering: The EastEnders draw back in alarm as the blaze gets out of control

Driven mad with signs that he is being followed by someone who knows a dark past secret, he also visits the B&B in a desperate bid to retrieve a package containing incriminating evidence which could bring him down.

The tension builds as water dripping throughout the house meets the exposed electrics, sparking fireworks which see the B&B explode with Phil, Denise, Yusef, Tamwar and Masood all trapped inside.

This isn't the only tragedy afoot for the beleaguered EastEnders, as on Tuesday, Pat collapses and on Thursday finds herself in hospital, awaiting the results of a CT scan.