EastEnders car lot fire 1994 (Frank and Phil)

[CAEF]

In January 1994, Frank Butcher ended up in financial ruin and Phil Mitchell bought a flat off him for a bargain and Frank sold his share of the cafe to Phil for a pittance, as Phil could not afford Frank's asking price. Frank's debts kept mounting. In the end Frank went on Phil's suggestion to torch the car lot to claim on the insurance. Frank then got Phil to torch the lot. One dark night in March 1994, Phil did the deed but unbeknown to him was a vagrant asleep in one of the cars. He was rushed to hospital. He died later on and the police quizzed Frank, and when he forgot to tell them about a rival cab firm who put him out of business months before (cab wise not car sales wise) they suspected arson. Frank claimed his business accounts went up in the flames. However Pat had seen them around but did not know Frank had lied to the police about them burning.

Due to lack of evidence the case was dropped and a distraught Phil and Frank began cheering up. The insurance man came calling and Pat handed the business accounts to him. When Frank returned home his cheer turned to panic when Pat said the insurance man is looking at the personal and business accounts but Frank had to hide his grief. This would have proven he was broke and the fire was a scam. Frank then became very moody and did a runner a few days later. He was not seen again for 20 months until he returned to Albert Square in December 1995.

One of the best EE story arcs along with Sharongate.

[Deleted]

Agree. I liked how they revisited it with the Phil stalker story in 2011.

Pat and Phil scenes were rare.

The Mitchell arc was quite good under Kirkwood. Pity he gave them that awful jungle wallpaper.

[maurice45]

I liked the revisit during that storyline, however I was bitterly disappointed with the predictable "Ben did it" ending

[dancingqueen]

Apr 10, 2015 15:08:13 GMT maurice45 said:

I liked the revisit during that storyline, however I was bitterly disappointed with the predictable "Ben did it" ending

Have you not learnt anything Maurice? It's always Ben. 

[maurice45]

Apr 11, 2015 12:12:42 GMT dancingqueen said:

Apr 10, 2015 15:08:13 GMT maurice45 said:

I liked the revisit during that storyline, however I was bitterly disappointed with the predictable "Ben did it" ending

Have you not learnt anything Maurice? It's always Ben. 

My bad

[CAEF]

I think this was one of the reasons that lead to Phil's darker side surfacing years later. In 2000, Phil became a nastier and more violent person upon Grant wrecking his life and him losing Grant and his love of his life Kathy and son Ben again. The car lot fire was one of the things that lead to Phil becoming unlikeable. It is plausible enough to explain why Phil is like he is now.