WYTHEVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities say as many as five people are being held hostage at a post office in a small town in Virginia.

Wytheville (WITH-ville) Mayor Trent Crewe says five people are inside the building, including three employees and two customers. Crewe says shots have been fired but no injuries have been reported.

Virginia State Police have responded with a SWAT team and bomb technician. A spokeswoman confirmed shots have been fired but could not say whether explosives were involved.

The situation began about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Wytheville is the county seat of Wythe County in southwest Virginia, which has about 30,000 residents.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities say as many as five people are being held hostage at a post office in a small town in Virginia.

Wyethville (WITH-ville) Mayor Trent Crewe says five people are inside the building, including three employees and two customers. Crewe says shots have been fired but no injuries have been reported.

The situation began at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The suspect has not been identified. Wytheville is in western Virginia.