QUINCY, Mass. (WHDH) -- Oppressive heat made work difficult for firefighters when a Quincy dry cleaning business went up in flames Saturday.

After less than a minute inside the burning building, firefighters decided it was too dangerous to stay inside.

“It’s a terribly hot day. Extremely difficult for firefighters to work in these conditions,” said Chief Joseph Barron.

Employees at Dependable Cleaners Quincy headquarters said the fire started just after two o'clock toward the back of the building near one of the dry cleaning machines. Nearly twenty people were inside at the time.

“We have a very old building, a lot of old wood infrastructure. Once it started there was really no chance for it to stop,” said Chris Hagearty, the owner of Dependable Cleaners.

The Quincy Fire Department said it sent every truck it had to fight the fast moving fire. Boston firefighters were also called to help. They worked in shifts through the dangerous heat.

“Take every piece of winter clothing you own in your house put it on and start running in circles,” said Chief Barron.

Dependable Cleaners said some clothes in the front of the shop may be salvaged. The facility does cleaning for five other Boston area storefronts. Those stores were warned about the possible losses.