An unexploded bomb from World War 2 was found in Bridge Street and the bomb squad and police flooded Albert Square to keep the residents locked indoors. The bomb was apparently near some gas lines and had it blown up, Bridge Street and indeed half the Square would have been taken out.
IN an hour long special the majority of the residents were all locked into the Queen Vic under police supervision. During the hour the big storylines of the time all played out, with grudges boiling to the surface, one or two fist fights and Ian being exposed to Auntie Pauline that he lied about his daughters illness to keep Mel married to him, this happened after an argument in the ladies turned nasty and Pauline slapped Mel.
Lisa and Phil spent the night trying to avoid each other whilst Phil lost his temper and ended up in punching match, can't remember who with. Meanwhile in the celler Steve Owen was having a breakdown, this was just after Matthew Rose had gotten out of jail and tortured Steve in his club. He was comforted by Pat. Peggy and Frank announced they were selling the Vic, and Dot was knocked unconcious when a controlled explosion rocked the Vic, sending Dot flying over a table.
Eventually the bomb was found and they were all let go home, with Dot and Pauline at the end remarking it was 15 years to the day that Den and Arthur found the old dead guy who was found in the very first EastEnders epi.