One victim of the Los Angeles fires has been identified: a man died while holding a garden hose, his family says

The extent of the damage caused by Wildfires in Southern California remains unclear as strong Santa Ana winds continue to fan the flames, but his family has identified at least one victim of the raging fires.

Victor Shaw is among those who lost their lives, and his sister Shari Shaw told ABC News that he died in a heroic attempt to protect his Altadena home. The body of a 66-year-old man was found in front of his house with a garden hose in his hand.

“I can’t imagine what he could have been thinking and how he could have been so scared,” Shari Shaw said. “And I couldn’t be here, I couldn’t be here to save him. I couldn’t be here, that hurts the most.”

Shaw had lived in the family home since 1965 and had health problems that affected his mobility.

In Altadena, an area north of Pasadena, the Eaton Fire broke out Tuesday and has burned to more than 13,000 acres. Authorities reported that up to 5,000 structures, including businesses and homes, were damaged or destroyed.

Thousands of firefighters are fighting the blazes and tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee. At least five people are believed dead, and the Los Angeles County sheriff says he expects the number to rise. Authorities began bringing in cadaver dogs to search for victims.

Watch the latest stories and videos about the devastating wildfires in Southern California Here.