'EastEnders' Actress Anna Karen Dies in House Fire

Anna Karen dies aged 85, in a house fire in East London: Complete story here!  

Best recognized for her role as Olive in the beloved sitcom On the Buses, Aunt Sal in EastEnders, and more, Anna Karen was a South African-born English actress who died in a horrific house fire in her home in East London. Firefighters rushed to Karen's home on Tuesday at 10:30 pm, after neighbors reported screams and, shortly, smoke coming from the actress's house.  

"Part of the ground floor of a mid-terrace house was damaged by fire. Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, a woman (Anna) has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford," a fire brigade spokesman confirmed. He adds, "Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation."   

 Anna was declared on the scene. 
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As per the latest developed reports on Karen's case, the actress reportedly fell asleep while smoking, which is believed to have set her home ablaze. Karen was wheelchair-bound while she was alive and was spotted confined to the floor of her three-bed property and pronounced dead at the scene.   

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One of Anna's neighbors said, "I have been told she was in bed and smoking when the fire started. She fell asleep, then the cigarette she had fell onto the bed and set fire to the bed."Karen was born Ann Harrison McCall on September 19, 1936, in Durban, Natal, South Africa. Anna moved to London at 17 and enrolled in The London School of Dramatic Art. 

Several stars mourned the death of Karen.
 Source: Lego Media 

The late actress debuted in the 1961 film Nudist Memories and garnered recognition with On the Buses, Carry on Loving, and EastEnders. Karen remained a widow until her last moment after her second husband, actor/comedian Terry Duggan passed away in 2008. Anna didn't have any biological children. Hundreds of fans mourned the actress's tragic death, and many stars, including singer Cheryl Baker, EastEnders star Rita Simons, and more, paid tribute to the late actress.  

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