WASHINGTON — Just before midnight Friday, three adults and two toddlers were rushed to the hospital after the car they were in struck a tree in Waldorf, Maryland, according to police.

The car was traveling south on St. Charles Parkway when it struck brush and hit a tree in the woods before catching on fire, police said.

Firefighters were able to rescue the toddlers, who were freed from the burning car and transported to Children’s Hospital with serious injuries. Police say that the toddlers were in car seats at the time but that they are looking into whether they were properly secured in their seats.

The three adults were taken to Medstar Washington with life-threatening injuries, including broken bones and second-degree burns.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Officials are asking witnesses to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-609-6255.