Gatineau police are investigating arson as the possible cause of a fire that left at least 12 people homeless.

The fire broke out at a rowhouse complex on Saint-Raymond Boulevard in Gatineau's Hull sector at about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

It took 25 firefighters a couple of hours to contain the fire. Although nobody was injured, some residents lost everything.

"From my clothes, shoes, underwear, to my furniture, pictures, jewelry that has sentimental values, pictures that I won't be able to get back from my family, just everything. I don't have anything right now," said Zorana Janjic, who lived in the building.

The fire was originally thought to be electrical in nature.