A ROAD was named in memory of two fallen Blaina firefighters today.

The road, between the Rising Sun Industrial Estate and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg School in Blaenau Gwent, was named Griffin Lane in tribute to Stephen Griffin, 42, and Kevin Lane, 32.

Both men died in a house fire on Zephaniah Way in Blaina on February 1, 1996. They were trying to save three-year-old Joshua Harford, who they mistakenly believed was inside the house. Joshua’s five-year-old brother, Daniel, died in the blaze.

Both men were awarded the Freedom of Blaenau Gwent for their bravery and Lisa Winnett, councillor for Blaina, put forward the idea for the tribute, Griffin Lane, earlier this year.

Councillor Winnett said as well as the road name, a community fund has been set up for a memorial statue, which will be sculpted by Chris Lane, a firefighter at Blaina station.

Today’s ceremony was attended by Sian Bailey, the partner of Kevin Lane, and Margaret Griffin, 60, the widow of Stephen Griffin; her daughter, Tina, 35; and her two grandchildren, Halle J, 11, and Zachary, 9. Margaret Griffin said she is delighted with the tribute to both men.

She said: “It’s wonderful and I just love the name. If you tried, you would not think of that name yet it’s made for it. The name will stay there for my grandchildren and for their grandchildren. It will be there until the end of time. Stephen will be thrilled.

“I could write a book about Stephen and Kevin. Both of them were heroes and they would go out on the line together. It was just the way they were. They always went out of their way to help people and did things above and beyond their duty. It didn’t surprise me that they went in that night. Unfortunately, nothing could be done.

“But, before my husband and Kevin died, there was no hothouse training. Following the inquest, it became compulsory and it really changed the whole world. They lost their lives and it does not get any easier, but they did not die for nothing.”

The closure of Blaina fire station was announced last month despite a hard-fought local campaign to save it, and Mrs Griffin said today’s ceremony is also a tribute to the work of the station’s firefighters.

She said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see it close and the boys at the station had tears in their eyes, but there’s nothing we can do. The boys are fantastic and we just have to hope there are no more serious fires in the area. I think the authorities are doing the wrong thing and they’re leaving us with nothing. It’s a waste of so many good firemen and today is for them, too."

Alun Davies AM for the area said: "We owe a huge debt to Stephen Griffin and Kevin Lane who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

"(The road is) a lasting reminder for generations to come and truly deserved.”