Crime-sceneA man died in a house fire early this morning, moments after threatening Des Moines police. Officers were first called to the home on the city’s northwest side around midnight on the report of a disturbance.

They found nothing and left, but were soon called to the area again. According to Des Moines police, a man inside the home refused to come to the door, was “behaving erratically,” threatened officers and said he was armed with a firearm.

A fire erupted inside the home around 1 a.m. as officers tired to talk to the man. Officers forced their way in, but could not rescue the man as he resisted. Due to the fire and smoke, officers were forced to leave the home and the man died in the fire. His name has not been released.

Investigators believe the house was intentionally set on fire. A news conference about the incident is scheduled for this afternoon.