EASTENDERS chaos as the Queen Vic is reduced to rubble after a huge explosion ahead of the 40th anniversary.

We previously revealed the iconic pub would be reduced to rubble in episodes that are set to run in February.

Bosses have teased that it is set to be one of the most sensational storylines in the show’s history.

Several beloved Walford characters will potentially be caught up in the blast.

According to new pictures from the Elstree Studio set, events on the long-running BBC One soap are set to be more dramatic than ever.

Aerial snaps show a large amount of debris line the pavement and road of Bridge Street.

The market has seemingly been put out of action as the fire engulfed the iconic EastEnders set.

Windows across both the ground floor and the first story of the building are either smashed or completely blown out.

The iconic welcoming sign to the boozer lies amongst the huge pile of bricks, facade stone and smashed exterior lights.

Amongst the rubble, lies a black burnt out car that has seemingly smashed into the side of the building.

The entrance to the storeroom is also blackened from the flames, suggesting a huge vehicle collision may have caused the explosion.

A police car and several ambulances are parked across the square as a large white marquee was set up in the central gardens of the famous square.

Recent scenes have shown Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) spiral out of control as she battles with her alcohol addiction.

As her mother Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) returned from her honeymoon, she was left shocked by the Linda’s deteriorating state.

She issued an ultimatum to her daughter to either seek help in rehab or she would be on her own.

The former landlady has hit rock bottom as the likes of Johnny (Charlie Suff) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) have been pushed to the limit by her behaviour.