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Family, friends reveal names of men killed in garage fire

One of the two men who died in a garage fire in Calgary Friday evening has been identified as a refugee from Africa, while the other is believed to have been a mechanic from Sudan.

CALGARY — One of the two men who died in a garage fire in Calgary Friday evening has been identified as a refugee from Africa, while the other is believed to have been a mechanic from Sudan.

The wife of 35-year-old Emanuel Kifle Mekanen has confirmed that he was one of the victims of the fire.

The couple arrived in Canada as refugees from Eritrea less than two years ago.

Members of Calgary’s African community have identified the second victim as Mekanen’s best friend, Yousef, but they could not provide his last name.

The men were believed to be working on a car when the garage suddenly burst into flames, but investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire.