Soaps Julie Lordan investigates the big Corrie fire at the Underworld factory - whodunnit?

Coronation Street’s biggest employer, the Underworld factory, is no more. A fire, started deliberately, has caused one death and put everyone on the street on high alert that there is a murderous character in their midst. But what do we know about events leading up to the fire?

Trouble was brewing at Underworld, but recent episodes show Carla Connor’s world come tumbling down and one resident dies, buried beneath the rubble of the factory, when the roof collapses. The name of the character responsible for the arson (of course it wasn’t an accident) won’t be revealed for several weeks, but the show has lined up a meaty bunch of suspects. All we have to go on of course is the sight of a shadowy figure sabotaging the factory roof.

Although Carla and Nick Tilsley are partners in Underworld, Carla took on all the responsibility and kept Nick in the dark for the most part. She knows that repairing the roof is necessary but cannot afford the work. Could she be thinking about an insurance scam? In a rare show of vulnerability in the fire’s aftermath, Carla admits to Peter Barlow that she still loves him. Of course, Carla would never set fire to the factory herself – there are plenty of shady people for hire on the street for that – and her alibi is that she was with Peter and returns to find Underworld collapsing and her staff and friends trapped under the fallen roof. The other suspects include Robert Preston, who has turned against Carla and is open about the fact that he’s out to get her for interfering in his relationship with Michelle Connor. Is this an act of revenge?

Peter went off early on the evening of the fire in a cloud of resentment, angry at being blamed for saddling Carla with Nick as a business partner. Did he lose control like the Peter of old? Meanwhile, Nick has made it clear he’d be better off if the business went up in smoke. This is from someone with form when it comes to dodgy dealings.

Gary Windass was responsible for the roof repairs, so could he be to blame or could his feud with Seb Franklin be a factor? Seb’s made no bones of the fact he wants to see Gary suffer, so he can’t be ruled out as a suspect.

As the residents look for someone to blame, health and safety inspector Wayne, who years ago was fostered by Roy and Hayley, arrives on the street to investigate.

As questions are asked and fingers pointed, who will crack under the pressure and how long can the truth stay buried?

Of course, any one of these suspects could in fact be the victim in the fire. And with Kym Marsh (Michelle) and Bhavna Limbachia (Rana) due to leave Corrie later this year, could their exit storyline begin with the Underworld fire? As is typical in Coronation Street, a dramatic event like the Underworld fire could be the spur for lots of changes.