Authorities in Ontario, California, have arrested a 29-year-old contract worker in connection with a massive six-alarm fire that severely damaged a 1.2 million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark warehouse earlier this week.
The suspect, identified as Chamel Abdulkarim, faces felony arson charges following the April 7 incident. The fire caused significant damage to the facility and resulted in immediate work disruptions for hundreds of employees.
Internal video footage allegedly captured Abdulkarim igniting pallets of toilet paper and other paper goods within the warehouse aisles. The recording shows the individual moving through the facility as flames begin to spread rapidly behind him.
During the video, the suspect is heard making statements regarding his compensation and working conditions. "All you had to do was pay us enough to live," the man repeatedly says while documenting the destruction on camera.
Abdulkarim was employed as a contract worker through NFI Industries, a third-party logistics provider. NFI Industries and Kimberly-Clark have not yet released detailed statements regarding the specific labor grievances mentioned in the video.
The Ontario Fire Department responded to the blaze, which quickly escalated to a six-alarm emergency due to the highly flammable nature of the paper products. Firefighters spent several hours working to contain the fire within the massive structure.
Local law enforcement officials confirmed that Abdulkarim was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Investigators are currently reviewing the social media footage and internal security tapes as part of the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The incident highlights growing tensions regarding industrial labor conditions and wage standards in the logistics sector. This event occurs amid a broader national conversation on economic stability under the administration of President Donald Trump.
Supply chain analysts suggest that while the Ontario facility is a major hub, the disruptions are unlikely to cause long-lasting shortages. Kimberly-Clark is reportedly working to reroute distribution to other regional warehouses.
Legal proceedings for Abdulkarim are expected to begin later this month in San Bernardino County. He remains in custody pending his initial court appearance on the felony arson charges filed by the district attorney.