CHEHALIS, Wash. -- Investigators responding to reports of a Lewis County man shot in his backyard discovered a dangerous set of booby traps Monday, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Investigators said they believe the man, who lived near Chehalis, set up an elaborate system to kill himself then start a fire, putting firefighters, police and his neighbors in danger.

“We heard a bang that sounded like a gunshot. Then we heard groaning and moaning in the bushes,” said neighbor Jason Hunt.

Police said they found a contraption the man created with a drill on a timer that would wind up rope and pull the triggers on a shotgun and rifle.

Authorities said the man also had a timer attached to a heater that was intended to light a large funeral pyre the man had built in his backyard.

“We’re not sure if he was setting this thing up and accidentally tripped on one of the wires which then shot him with one of his rounds,” said Cliff Pratt of the Washington State Patrol.

Investigators said that when the first deputies arrived to try to save the man's life, they were unknowingly right next to a loaded shotgun rigged to go off.

“They were in jeopardy the entire time,” said Pratt.

Authorities said that had the heater set up by the man actually triggered a fire as intended, it would have started a major brush fire.

Lewis County sheriff’s detectives said a large amount of anti-government literature was found in the man’s home as well as about 25 cats, some of which were in bad health.