The Sun Hill Fire (2002)

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The Sun Hill fire (2002) was one of the most controversial storylines in the long-running drama The Bill.

In 2002 "The Bill" was dominated by racial tensions. In late March long-serving and popular character Chief Inspector Derek Conway died in a devastating explosion. His former colleague Inspector Andrew Monroe announced he would be organising a memorial fund for him. Superintendent Tom Chandler made a massive ostentatious donation. PC Reg Hollis and PC Des Taviner did not want to be upstaged. Unbeknown to Reg, Des "confiscated" some money from a gang of youths and they were able to make a large donation, which Des claimed was the result of a bet. He later discovered the money was forged.

The racial tensions that had caused Conway’s death were continuing and Des seized on a riot as an opportunity to destroy the forged currency. He sealed the station exits to prevent anyone from getting in and threw a petrol bomb into Monroe's office at the height of a riot. Unbeknown to Des, gas canisters were being concealed in Monroe’s office, resulting in an explosion that ripped through the station. Six officers were trapped in the inferno; four were killed instantly whilst the remaining two died in hospital after sustaining massive injuries.

The episode attracted 8.6 million viewers.