Two residences and a barn were on fire Monday afternoon as officers persuaded a man from committing suicide.

Dispatchers with the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office received a call around noon in regards to a family dispute and possible structure fire.

Chief Eli Bourne and Officer Taylor Foster of the Frazeyburg Police Department were headed back to Frazeysburg when they heard the radio traffic and headed to the scene.

When they arrived, they noticed a male and female standing outside of the burning structure and asked if everyone was out of the building.

As they got closer to the individuals they noticed the male had a gun to his head.

Bourne then drew his service weapon and began talking to the male until additional officers could arrive on the scene.

According to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz, the officers talked with the man for nearly half an hour until eventually, they were able to convince the man not to harm himself.

Lutz said that the training the officers receive in dealing with those who have mental illnesses, as well as their crisis intervention team (CIT) training, helped de-escalate the situation.

“It was a total team effort,” said Lutz. “They are put in these positions in rather quick instances and it was really fortunate there was nobody that got hurt.”

As law enforcement dealt with the suicidal male, firefighters were unable to start combating the blaze.

Once the man surrendered and was taken into custody, crews began to attack all three structures which were completely engulfed in flames at that point.

All three structures have been deemed a total loss.

Lutz said the man’s name is being withheld pending charges by the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s office.

No one was injured during either the altercation with the suicidal man or from the fire.

Multiple local area police and fire agencies were on scene.