A 15-year-old teenager was killed as he joined volunteers battling forest fires in northern Lebanon, where firefighters were struggling Thursday to protect homes from the blaze.

The teenager was one of several residents of the Qubayyat area in Lebanon’s remote Akkar region “who rushed to the scene to help douse the flames,” according to the Lebanese civil defense.

He died Wednesday, hours after the fire started spreading.

Authorities sent helicopters but was not able to contain the fire, which was still raging Thursday.

According to the Lebanese Red Cross, eight others were hospitalized following the fire, which forced several inhabitants to evacuate their homes.

“The situation on the ground is frightening,” Agriculture Minister Abbas Mortada told AFP.

“The fire is huge, it has destroyed vast forested areas and is now threatening homes.”

Lebanon’s National News Agency said Cyprus was keeping firefighting aircraft on standby.