A massive fire that leveled a 1.2-million-square-foot distribution center in Ontario, California, has led to the arrest of a warehouse employee after a disturbing social media video surfaced, allegedly showing the suspect methodically igniting the facility. The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of Tuesday morning, destroyed a vast inventory of paper goods and left dozens of workers without employment.
Police have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim, a resident of Highland. Abdulkarim, who was employed by NFI Industries—the firm operating the site as a distribution center for Kimberly-Clark—now faces multiple felony arson-related charges. The investigation accelerated rapidly after a Facebook video was posted, appearing to show the start of the fire and providing a glimpse into a potential motive rooted in labor grievances CBS News.
The footage captures a person holding a lighter and setting fire to pallets of Scott toilet paper. In the video, the individual is heard saying, “Should have paid us more,” and “All you had to do was pay us enough to live,” as flames began to melt through plastic wrapping and spread across the warehouse. The person in the video is also heard stating, “There goes your inventory,” as the fire took hold CBS News.
The Scale of the Ontario Warehouse Fire
The fire broke out shortly after 12:30 a.m. On Tuesday near Hellman and Merrill avenues. The sheer volume of combustible materials—including brands such as Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, and Cottonelle—fueled a six-alarm blaze that was visible for miles ABC7.
The facility’s massive footprint, estimated at 1.2 million square feet—roughly the size of 11 city blocks—presented a significant challenge for first responders. A total of 175 firefighters and 20 engines were deployed to battle the flames ABC7. While the building was equipped with a fire suppression system, officials noted that the system was compromised when a portion of the roof collapsed under the heat.
Crews worked for nearly twelve hours to contain the fire, using ladder trucks to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent businesses. In addition to the total loss of the building, several big rigs docked at the facility were destroyed in the inferno ABC7.
Investigation and Arrest of Chamel Abdulkarim
Approximately 20 employees were inside the warehouse when the fire began. Following an evacuation and a subsequent head count, officials realized one person was missing. Police later confirmed that the missing individual was the suspect, Chamel Abdulkarim ABC7.
Deputy Chief Mike Wedell stated that the fire was “very quickly identified as suspicious in nature” and that a subject of interest was identified early in the incident, leading to Abdulkarim’s arrest ABC7.
Testimony from coworkers highlights the suddenness of the event. Alejandro Montero, a forklift driver at the site, reported that he had been working with Abdulkarim for two hours and had spoken with him just 15 minutes before the fire erupted. Montero noted that Abdulkarim was assisting him in loading a trailer before the break, at which point the fire began CBS News.
Impact on Workforce and Supply Chain
Beyond the structural and inventory loss, the arson has had a devastating impact on the facility’s workforce. Forklift driver Alejandro Montero expressed a mixture of anger and concern, noting that the actions of the suspect have resulted in the loss of jobs for all employees at the site. “He did that to everyone. He put everyone in that position,” Montero said CBS News.
The destruction of such a massive distribution hub for Kimberly-Clark—a company whose portfolio includes essential household brands—raises questions regarding regional supply chain disruptions for paper goods. While the fire was contained to the warehouse, the loss of 1.2 million square feet of operational space represents a significant blow to the distribution network in Southern California ABC7.
Key Incident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Chamel Abdulkarim, 29 |
| Employer | NFI Industries (for Kimberly-Clark) |
| Facility Size | 1.2 million square feet |
| Emergency Response | 175 firefighters, 20 engines, 6-alarm fire |
| Alleged Motive | Wage grievances (“Should have paid us more”) |
| Legal Status | Multiple felony arson-related charges |
The case now moves toward the judicial system as investigators continue to review the social media evidence and forensic data from the scene. The next confirmed checkpoint will be the initial court appearances for Chamel Abdulkarim to address the felony arson charges.
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