Dozens of people have been left homeless and others left in shock after fire ripped through a Dallas apartment building.

Fire officials say the complex appears to have been torched on purpose.

Many lost everything they own. A tragedy made worse, since many fear the building was deliberately set on fire, by a scorned woman looking for revenge.

Dallas fire confirm they believe this three-alarm fire was deliberately set at the Oakwood Apartments in Oak Cliff.

A neighbor banging on doors about 7:30 a.m. this morning warned many of the residents to the flame and got them out in time but many escaped with just the clothes on their backs.

Flames quickly consumed the building, damaging 17 apartments and displacing close to 50 people.

Worsening people's grief, many here believe a woman started the fire as revenge against one of the tenants.

"We have nothing," said Porsche Littlejohn, one of the residents.

Police are expecting to soon meet with a person of interest.

Residents are being moved into vacant units.

E-mail jbetz@wfaa.com.