Immigrant dies in Bronx fire while saving others

A soldier who died saving dozens of people’s lives in the New York fire on Thursday was on leave from army duty just for the holidays.Emmanuel Mensah, 28, an immigrant, had just completed basic training courses in Georgia before heading home for the holidays when the deadly blaze broke out in the Bronx.Twelve people died in the fire, including Emmanuel.According to his father, Kwabena Mensah, Emmanuel, spent his final moments trying to rescue other people in the building."That’s his nature,” said Mensah, 62.“He was trying to help people out from the fire, and unfortunately he lost his life. He tried to do his best.”A child playing with a kitchen stove started the fire, which quickly spread through the 29-unit building. The fire killed at least 12 people, including four children.Private Emmanuel Mensah was a first-generation immigrant, a soldier and a New Yorker. He gave his life rescuing his neighbors in the Bronx fire. His heroism exemplifies the best of our city. Rest in peace," the mayor said Saturday.About 170 firefighters worked Thursday night to control the blaze in the five-story building just a block from the zoo, authorities said.Emmanuel Mensah was stationed in Virginia, his father said.A private first class in the New York National Guard, he had just graduated from boot camp after starting basic training in the fall, spokesman Eric Durr said. He was slated to go to advanced individual training in 2018.He was training to be a military police officer, a role that offers a variety of potential responsibilities, from garrison law enforcement to security in the field.This visit was his first back to the Bronx in the year since he enlisted in the National Guard, his father said. He was in the building when the fire broke out.