SPENCER — Authorities in North Carolina say four people have been killed and several others injured during a car wreck northeast of Charlotte.

WSOC-TV is reporting that Rowan County EMS Capt. Chris Warr said two of those killed were children. Warr told reporters that the accident occurred at about 8:15 p.m. Friday. He said nine people, including five children, were in a sport utility vehicle that was on fire when rescue crews arrived. Several injured passengers were airlifted to area hospitals.

The accident occurred in Spencer, which is about 50 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The Salisbury Post is reporting that the vehicle struck a tree.

The cause of the wreck was under investigation late Friday.