Suspected 'cop killer' Christopher Dorner in shootout with police Fugitive ex-cop barricaded in California cabin Ex-LA police officer Christopher Dorner, a suspect in three killings, holed up in a mountain cabin after a shootout with authorities. A large fire has engulfed a cabin in southern California inside which a gunman, believed to be fugitive former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, is holed up after engaging police in a fierce gun battle earlier in the day. Hundreds of rounds of gunfire were exchanged between the heavily armed man, who is suspected of killing three people, and police officers in a remote forest area of Angelus Oaks, about two hours' drive east of Los Angeles. Two police officers, both San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies, were shot in the gun battle. Police have since confirmed that one of the officers has died. Shootout ... Several hours after the gunman retreated into the cabin, in the San Bernardino National Forest, a large fire engulfed the building, according to radio station KCal 9. A thick plume of black smoke was seen coming from the cabin, as heavily armed SWAT officers surrounded the building, near the southern Californian ski resort of Big Bear. Four schools are in lockdown and roads in the area have been closed as the stand-off in the San Bernardino National Forest continues. Police stand at a road block as a gunfight between police and Christopher Dorner takes place. Police could not immediately confirm reports that Dorner broke into a house in nearby Big Bear and tied up a couple, who he held hostage for days, before he was spotted driving a stolen vehicle about 12.30pm on Tuesday, local time. Fish and Wildlife officers had been on the look-out for a 2008 white Dodge pick-up truck when they spotted a man who bore a resemblance to Dorner driving one and attempted to stop him, the LA Times is reporting. The driver crashed the truck during the chase and allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers as he fled into another cabin, where he was quickly surrounded by San Bernardino sheriff's deputies, the newspaper says. Christopher Dorner is holed up in a cabin in Californian ski resort of Big Bear. Photo: Fox News LAPD commander Andrew Smith said witnesses described the gunman as looking remarkably like Dorner, however police would not know until they had him in handcuffs. He said the gunman may be watching or listening to live coverage of the siege, and appealed to him to hand himself in. Enough is enough. It's time to turn yourself in. It's time to stop the bloodshed, it's time to let this event and let this incident be over," Commander Smith said. The gunman reportedly set off a smoke bomb at the rear of the second cabin in an unsuccessful attempt to escape before engaging in a firefight with officers, the LA Times is reporting. Hundreds of rounds could be heard being fired in a dramatic live radio broadcast on KCal 9. The stand-off is taking place on the southern side of the mountain where Dorner's burnt-out truck was found several days ago. Authorities suspect Dorner, a naval reservist, was involved in a series of attacks in Southern California over the past week that left three people dead. The killings and threats that Dorner allegedly made in a chilling online manifesto have led police to provide protection to 50 families. The disgruntled ex-cop threatened to murder police and their families in his rambling manifesto, pledging to "bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty." Police say Dorner shot and killed a couple on February 3 in a parking garage at their condominium in Irvine. Big Bear mayor Jay Obernolte said it was a question of time before Dorner was caught. I think this is the break that we have all been waiting for to get him flushed out and no longer in hiding. My opinion is that it's only a matter of time," he told CNN. We have faith in law enforcement personnel up here that he won't be able to hide for long. "We're certainly hoping that he can be captured or subdued without any more loss of life or injury to law enforcement personnel.""