Police were negotiating into the night Tuesday with a man believed to be in possession of a bomb who was holding people hostage inside a building in downtown Bakersfield, authorities said.

Officers with the Bakersfield Police Department responded to a confirmed bomb threat at the “Chase Bank Building” at Chester Avenue and 17th Street on Tuesday afternoon, the department said in a statement on social media.

Crisis negotiators were able to negotiate the safe surrender of one hostage, Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon said shortly before 5:30 p.m. Several hours later, the release of a second hostage was successfully negotiated.

The other people inside the building remain “in good health” as police and federal agents work together to resolve the situation, he said around 9 p.m.

“We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring it to the safest resolution possible,” Celedon said, “from the SWAT team, bomb squad, crisis negotiators, our drone team, K9 unit as well as our federal partners.”

Police were first dispatched around 1 p.m. when officers received a bomb threat at the bank building and were notified that a man had barricaded himself inside with several community members, according to a department news release.

A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said in a Tuesday evening statement that its branch is on the ground floor of the building and was currently empty. The building, which features large Chase Bank lettering on the exterior, also houses unrelated offices.

Road closures were in effect around the building, and residents were being asked to stay away from the area near Truxtun and Chester avenues. Nearby buildings had been evacuated, and a triage area with ambulances was set up in case of any injuries.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said in a statement she was closely monitoring the situation and appreciated the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies.

“The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties,” she said. “We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.