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.

Double tragedy: It's not looking good for Pat Evans as she takes to her sick bed over Christmas

Double tragedy: It's not looking good for Pat Evans- played by Pam St Clement- as she takes to her sick bed over Christmas

EastEnders Spoiler: Afia turns against Yusef - Spoiler Pictures

Friday, December 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM

'EastEnders': Afia turns against Yusef - Spoiler Pictures - Digital Spy

Published Tuesday, Nov 29 2011, 00:01 GMT | By Daniel Kilkelly

EastEnders villain Yusef Khan has a new problem to deal with in next week's episodes as his own daughter Afia starts to stand in the way of his plans.

Afia (Meryl Fernandes) turns against Yusef when she discovers the truth about the fire which nearly killed Zainab all those years ago. Fans will see how she makes the discovery in an upcoming episode.

Stunned that her father tried to kill Zainab, Afia makes it clear to Yusef (Ace Bhatti) that she knows his secret and warns that she will only keep quiet if he cuts ties with the Masoods and leaves London for good.

However, Yusef is unprepared to let Zainab (Nina Wadia) go, so he makes the shock decision to tell her the truth about the fire. Zainab is immediately horrified to see Yusef's true colours and rushes out in an emotional state, before later returning and ordering the scheming doctor to leave.

Unwilling to go without a fight, Yusef tries to manipulate Zainab once again, reminding her that he was young and emotional at the time and that he risked his life by going back to save her.

Zainab ultimately makes a surprise decision of her own as she is finally won round by Yusef's words and agrees to marry him the next day.

While Zainab's family are unhappy over her plans, it's only Denise (Diane Parish) who seems willing to step in - warning Zainab that Yusef is controlling her and that she's strong enough to break free. Will Zainab heed her advice or will she marry Yusef?