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The blaze broke out around 11 a.m. on the first floor of a five-story commercial building at 37-01 31st Street in Astoria.

Fire officials say combustible materials in the building, such as paints and wood, created an explosion and the second floor collapsed.

Some workers on the third floor were able escape by climbing down a ladder.

"We smelled fire and we opened to escape to go downstairs and fire shot through the door and that was it smoke just came in from everywhere," said Gavin Cleghorn, who escaped the fire. "All the exits were blocked, we couldn't get out. Firefighters got here three to five minutes top and got us out."

"The wind and the cold and the windshield is not helping,” said FDNY Chief of Operations Patrick McNally as firefighters were battling the blaze. “The men are doing a great job but it is a problem as you can see ice is starting to form outside. We're using tower ladders and hand lines. It's gonna be a long, drawn out fight."

Fire officials say while everyone made it out safely, six employees were injured and at least four firefighters with minor injuries were taken to the hospital.

As of Saturday night officials were still investigating the cause of the blaze.