ABOUT 50 police personnel are now on scene at the Snake Valley siege, where it is hoped a 45-year-old man will soon surrender himself.Police believe the man, who is refusing to come out of the house, is armed with a firearm.In a press conference a short time ago, Ballarat Police Inspector Bruce Thomas said police were called to the Linton-Carngham Road property last night at 9pm after reports of a domestic incident.Inspector Thomas said the man, his wife, a female friend and three children, aged five, eight and 12, were in the house."It got into a hostage situation," he said.At 3am, the female friend and children were released from the house, with the wife released at 4am.None of them were hurt.Local negotiators began working with the man last night but have since been replaced with trained negotiators from Melbourne.The Victoria Police Critical Incident Response Team and the Special Operations Group are in place."At the moment it's a bit of a stand-off and we're just hoping he will surrender and he won't hurt himself," Inspector Thomas said."He's been up all night and he's very tired."We're willing to sit here as long as it takes to resolve the situation peacefully."Police believe there are a number of firearms in the house but they are not sure which one he currently has. No guns have been discharged.The negotiators are speaking to the man via megaphone and telephone.Police have the property surrounded, with an ambulance on standby.The negotiator has asked the man to come out of his house and up his driveway."Come out with your hands in the air — you know this is the right thing to do. I know you're scared but it's up to you to take the first step," the negotiator said."We are not going to hurt you."Police have placed a number of road blocks at Pittong Road and Carngham Road and the southern end of Lawrence Drive.Police say the road blocks are impacting on public transport and local residents.