A warehouse worker is accused of intentionally starting a massive fire at a major distribution facility — and allegedly recording the act on video while criticizing his employer.
Fire Engulfs Kimberly-Clark Facility
The blaze broke out around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at a Kimberly-Clark warehouse in Ontario. The site, spanning roughly 1.2 million square feet, quickly became the scene of a large-scale emergency response.
Authorities say Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, worked for a third-party distributor connected to the facility.
Videos Allegedly Show Fire Being Set
Investigators say the suspect posted videos on social media appearing to show him igniting stacks of paper products inside the warehouse.
In the footage, a man believed to be Abdulkarim is heard:
- Complaining about wages
- Criticizing management
- Making statements such as “There goes your inventory”
The videos reportedly captured flames spreading rapidly while alarms sounded and workers communicated over radios.
Massive Emergency Response
At the time of the fire:
- Around 20 employees were inside the building
- No injuries were reported
Firefighters faced a prolonged battle, with:
- Approximately 175 personnel responding
- Crews working more than 12 hours to control the blaze
Despite their efforts, officials said the warehouse was completely destroyed.
Charges and Custody Status
Chamel Abdulkarim is currently being held without bail and faces multiple felony arson-related charges.
Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the damage and the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Suspect allegedly filmed himself starting the fire
- Incident occurred at a Kimberly-Clark warehouse in Ontario, California
- Fire required a six-alarm response with 175 firefighters
- Building declared a total loss, but no injuries reported