Added benefits to families of firefighter COVID-19 victims

CHICAGO (AP) - The families of Chicago firefighters who died of COVID-19 will receive line-of-duty benefits, Chicago Fire Department officials announced Monday.

The families of firefighters Mario Araujo and Edward Singleton will receive one-year's salary and funds for funeral expenses. A spokesman says the fire department will also assist the families in obtaining other federal, state and local benefits given families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

``Our current situation is unprecedented in the history of our department and will be addressed accordingly,'Å¥ Fire Commissioner Richard Ford said in a statement.

Singleton, 55, a 33-year veteran of the department, died April 14 from complications resulting from the coronavirus. He is survived by a wife and two adult children. Mario Araugo, 49, a 17-year department veteran, died April 7. He was single.

As of Friday, 109 members of the Chicago Fire Department have tested positive for COVID-19, with 37 having already returned to duty, according to department spokesman Larry Merritt.