Police are locked in negotiations with a man holding hostages inside a Chase bank branch in the city of Bakersfield, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call of a bomb threat at the bank building located at the corner of Chester Avenue and 17th Street at around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, and determined a man had barricaded himself inside "with several community members," the Bakersfield Police Department said.

Through negotiations, two of the hostages were released and the rest are in "good health," city police Sgt. Eric Celedon said. "We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible," he said.

No injuries have been reported so far. Police have urged the public to stay out of the area as it remains a very active situation.

Bakersfield Police said the department's crisis negotiation team was in contact with the suspect by telephone.

Officers established a perimeter around the building and nearby businesses, authorities said. Buildings in the vicinity were evacuated, including city hall and the police headquarters, and some roads were temporarily closed.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.