Five children and three adults have been found dead inside a house in Houston, Texas.

The discovery followed the arrest of a 49-year-old man who exchanged gunfire with police when they attempted to force their way into the home.

USA Today reports police first visited the house on Saturday evening to perform a welfare check, but received no answer at the door. Officers then learned that a man in the home was wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family member.

The relationship between him and those who died has not been explained, and the causes of death are not yet known. 

Police spokesman is Thomas Gilliland.