A new road will be named in memory of a firefighter who died tackling a blaze in Manchester city centre.
The tribute to Stephen Hunt is set to be unveiled in Miles Platting in September.
News of the honour was revealed by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and local councillors on the third anniversary of his death on Wednesday, July 13.
Flags were being flown at half-mast in his memory at fire stations across Greater Manchester.
Firefighter Hunt, 38, from Radcliffe, near Bury, was found collapsed inside Paul’s Hair World in Manchester’s Northern Quarter whilst attempting to put out the fire in 2013. He died later.
A jury at an inquest into his death held in May found he was unlawfully killed by two teenage girls who the jury ruled had probably started the fire deliberately by smoking cigarettes outside the salon on Oldham Street.
A former soldier, the father-of-two was based at Philips Park fire station. A newly-built road off Butler Street, in Miles Platting near the station, will run close to the Rochdale Canal.
It’s part of a huge new housing development by Lovell Homes.
A civic ceremony to unveil ‘Stephen Hunt Street’ will be held on September 20, with firefighter Hunt’s family, friends and fire service colleagues due to attend from 2pm.
Firefighter Hunt’s mother and step-father, Susan and Wilf Veevers, said they were delighted with the tribute.
They said: “We are very touched. It is one of many things people have done to remember Stephen and it means a great deal to us. We love and miss Stephen and appreciate it when others think of him.
“We won’t ever get over losing him but things like this are a help in their own way.”
Dave Keelan, assistant county fire officer and director of emergency response, thanked the organisers behind the tribute and added: “As an organisation we remain utterly devastated by his loss. He was a hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities and I am pleased he will be remembered forever in this way.”
The street naming has been organised by Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor John Flanagan. He said: “It is an honour to recognise him.”
The girls - who are now aged 17 and cannot be named for legal reasons - were arrested in connection with the blaze. One was charged with an arson offence but the charge was dropped in April last year, three days before a trial was due to start in Manchester.
The case is being reviewed by Greater Manchester Police and the Crown Prosecution Service in light of the jury’s findings.
