France’s national police force said Thursday that three officers had been shot dead and a fourth wounded in central France.

The incident took place near the village of Puy-de-Dome during the night into Wednesday.

The officers were shot by a 48-year-old man as they attempted to rescue a woman amid a domestic violence incident.

The woman had allegedly taken refuge on the roof of a house. Police approached the house shortly after midnight and were targeted by gunfire. The gunman initially shot and killed one officer and wounded another, before setting fire to the house.

Two further officers, responding to the scene, were then fired on and killed, according to the Clermont-Ferrand prosecutor"s office.