Days of our Lives Preview: Holly Jonas Nearly Dies in Fire – September 29 to October 3

The coming week in Days of Our Lives, airing from September 29 through October 3, 2025, promises explosive drama, heart-stopping danger, and emotional revelations that will keep Salem viewers glued to their screens. From a devastating dormitory fire that nearly claims Holly Jonas’s life, to the sinister return of a dangerous figure from Stephanie Johnson’s past, and even to unexpected romantic confessions, the week is filled with turning points that could change Salem forever.

Holly Jonas’s Ordinary Night Turns Deadly

At the center of this week’s most harrowing storyline is Holly Jonas. What begins as a normal night of studying quickly spirals into a nightmare that nearly costs her life. Struggling with the pressures of college, unresolved heartbreak from her on-again-off-again relationship with Tate Black, and the relentless drama stirred by Sophia Choi’s pregnancy, Holly has been leaning on alcohol far more than anyone realizes.

On this fateful night, Holly attempts to create a soothing environment by lighting a candle in her dorm room. Exhaustion, intoxication, and stress combine in a lethal mix. As she drifts off to sleep, the candle topples into an overflowing trash bin filled with papers and study materials. Within minutes, flames engulf the room, transforming her sanctuary into a raging inferno.

The fire spreads rapidly, cutting off her escape and trapping Holly in a smoke-filled chamber. Alone and unconscious, she lies vulnerable as her life literally hangs in the balance.

Brady Black Steps In

Elsewhere in the building, Brady Black has been doing his rounds, keeping a watchful eye on the younger Salem residents. He notices the acrid smell of smoke and instantly knows something is terribly wrong. As a man who’s always been protective of his extended family, Brady’s alarm skyrockets when he realizes Holly could be in grave danger. His instincts tell him that her personal struggles have left her vulnerable, and the thought of her trapped inside the fire fills him with dread.

Tate Black’s Desperate Race Against Time

The tension reaches fever pitch when Tate Black discovers the emergency is happening inside Holly’s dorm. Their relationship may be complicated, their trust fractured by Sophia’s pregnancy bombshell, but none of that matters in the face of life and death.

When Ariana Horton delivers the crushing news that Holly is still trapped in her room, unconscious, Tate’s panic is overwhelming. The fire alarm system has malfunctioned, costing them precious time, and every passing second makes the rescue more dangerous.

Driven by his enduring love for Holly, Tate races against time, his mind flashing back to their happiest memories together. For him, there’s no question—he must save her, even if it means risking everything. His frantic search for a way inside her room captures the raw desperation of a young man unwilling to lose the girl who still owns his heart.

The Sinister Return of Jeremy Horton

While the younger generation battles flames and fate, another storyline unfolds with chilling consequences. Jeremy Horton, Stephanie Johnson’s abusive ex-boyfriend, makes a shocking return to Salem. Long-time fans will remember Jeremy’s dark history: a convicted conman who once ran a fraudulent charity and terrorized Stephanie in deeply disturbing ways.

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Stephanie has worked hard to build a stable life and a healthy relationship with Alex Kiriakis, but recently she’s felt the unsettling sensation of being watched. Her nerves fray during outings at the town square, where she constantly checks over her shoulder. Alex notices her distress and presses her for answers.

Before she can fully explain, the nightmare becomes reality: Jeremy himself reappears, timing his arrival perfectly to maximize her fear. The trauma of her past—particularly the violent incident when he nearly drowned her in a hot tub—comes rushing back. His return threatens to unravel Stephanie’s hard-won peace and tests Alex’s ability to stand by her side during her darkest hour.

EJ DiMera’s Love Confession to Belle Black

As fire and fear grip Salem, romance takes an unexpected twist. EJ DiMera and Belle Black find themselves trapped together in a stalled elevator during a citywide power outage. In the claustrophobic silence, EJ finally lets his guard down.

Unable to hide his emotions any longer, EJ confesses that he still harbors deep feelings for Belle. This revelation carries the weight of years of regret, passion, and complicated history. For EJ, the blackout becomes a metaphorical backdrop to bare his soul, and his timing is no accident—he has clearly been waiting for the right moment to tell Belle how much she still means to him.

Belle, caught off guard, must process the depth of EJ’s words. Her reaction could reshape their futures and create ripples through Salem’s already tangled web of relationships.

Chad DiMera and Cat Green at a Turning Point

Meanwhile, Chad DiMera and Cat Green’s romance takes a significant step forward. Their passionate connection has been undeniable, but this week marks a defining moment: Chad decides it’s time to officially introduce Cat to his family.

The declaration signals his commitment to their relationship, despite knowing his family’s history of objections and drama. By choosing love over public approval, Chad proves his bond with Cat is more than fleeting—it’s something lasting and worth fighting for.

However, the timing couldn’t be more complicated, as the DiMera family simultaneously grapples with multiple crises. Cat’s integration into their complicated world promises both new energy and new conflict.

The Aftermath and What’s Next

As the week draws to a close, Salem is left shaken by the week’s explosive events.

Holly’s brush with death forces everyone—Tate, Brady, and even Nicole—to reexamine the impact of her struggles and the dangerous ways she’s been coping.
Jeremy’s return rips open Stephanie’s old wounds just as she was finding happiness, leaving Alex with the challenge of proving he can protect her and help her heal.
EJ’s confession to Belle has the potential to alter not just their futures, but ripple into Marlena and John’s family circle in ways that cannot be ignored.
Chad’s decision to make his romance with Cat public threatens to ignite a new round of DiMera-family power struggles.

The fire, the sinister return, the emotional confession, and the romantic leap all combine to create a week that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful. Salem thrives on chaos, and this week is no exception. With every rescue, revelation, and return, new questions arise—questions that promise to shape the storylines of the coming months.

One thing is certain: whether through fire, love, or fear, Salem will never be the same.