Arson Suspect Chamel Abdulkarim Arrested After 6-Alarm Fire Engulfs 1 Million Square-Foot Warehouse in Southern California (VIDEO)

As previously reported, a massive 6-alarm fire engulfed a 1 million square-foot warehouse in Ontario, California, on Tuesday.

The blaze broke out just after midnight on Tuesday morning.

“The Ontario Fire Department is battling a 6 alarm warehouse fire,” the San Bernardino Fire Department said.

“The building contains paper products. Units from many neighboring departments are on scene supporting the suppression efforts,” they said.

WATCH:

The Ontario Fire Department is battling a 6 alarm warehouse fire. The building contains paper products. Units from many neighboring departments are on scene supporting the suppression efforts. pic.twitter.com/KLNykaMbgY

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) April 7, 2026

Police arrested arson suspect Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, a disgruntled employee of a third-party distribution partner, Fox 11 reported.

Via Fox 11:

A devastating six-alarm structure fire ripped through a Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario Tuesday morning, leading to the arrest of an employee on suspicion of arson.

While the 1.2-million-square-foot facility suffered a total loss, including a roof collapse, authorities confirmed that all 20 employees present during the blaze escaped unharmed.

Ontario police have identified the suspect as Chamel Abdulkarim, a 29-year-old resident of Highland.

While initially believed to be a Kimberly-Clark staffer, officials clarified he is an employee of NFI Industries, a third-party distribution partner.

Video posted to social media allegedly shows Abdulkarim lighting paper goods in fire.

“All you had to do what pay us enough to f*cking live,” he said.

According to The New York Post, authorities are investigating the video.

“A fellow local just shared this footage with us — it was reportedly passed along by a Kimberly-Clark/NFI warehouse employee who received it from someone on site,” the social media account said in a caption.

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