Police contained an area around a Salt Lake City home for about three hours Thursday evening because of reports of a possible armed and dangerous man inside a shed behind the home, but there turned out to be nobody inside it.

The standoff began at about 4 p.m. Thursday at the house near 1500 South and 900 West when one of the women that live inside the house told police she believed she had seen her roommate's estranged boyfriend enter the shed with a gun.

Police also received reports that the boyfriend had made threats of violence against himself and his estranged girlfriend in the past. Officers quickly responded to the reports and secured the area.

"We went in and cleared the house, sent K-9 dogs to the shed, and it was locked up tight and it turned out to be clear," Salt Lake City police spokeswoman Lara Jones said. "Whether or not there ever was a man with a gun, we just don't know, but we have to take all precautions in these situations."

Police evacuated a few neighbors and shut down a portion of 900 West near the house as they investigated and attempted to make contact with someone in the shed. Jones said a SWAT team was never completely activated but several of the team's members were there as part of the emergency team.

— Ethan Thomas