Chamel Abdulkarim arraignment: Arson suspect in $500M Ontario warehouse fire due in court
Ontario warehouse arson suspect due in court
Police arrested 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim, an employee of a third-party distribution partner, on suspicion of felony arson.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - An Inland Empire man is set to be arraigned in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom on Friday for the alleged intentional destruction of a massive Kimberly-Clark distribution hub in Ontario earlier this week.
What we know:
Chamel Abdulkarim, a 29-year-old resident of Highland, is due in court for his initial appearance before a judge.
Abdulkarim was an employee of NFI Industries, the third-party logistics provider that operated the leased Kimberly-Clark facility in Ontario.
Chamel Abdulkarim (Ontario Police Department) (Ontario Police Department)
He was arrested on Tuesday, two miles from the scene, shortly after the six-alarm fire forced 175 firefighters into a defensive battle against the inferno.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kimberly-Clark employee detained on suspicion of arson after massive Ontario warehouse fire
According to the criminal complaint, Abdulkarim allegedly told officers, "I’m confessing." This confession is reportedly supported by a video circulating on social media, which appears to be filmed by the suspect, showing paper products being set on fire.
Employee arrested on suspicion of arson in Ontario warehouse fire
Police arrested 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim, an employee of a third-party distribution partner, on suspicion of felony arson.
The building, which housed essential household goods like Kleenex and Cottonelle, suffered a total roof collapse and is considered a complete loss.
What we don't know:
The exact method used to ignite the fire remains under investigation, as do the specific details of Abdulkarim’s social media activity leading up to the event.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kimberly-Clark Ontario facility destroyed in arson fire; employee in custody
While the video suggests frustrations over wages, authorities have not officially confirmed a singular motive.
Timeline:
Tuesday, April 7: The fire ignites at 12:30 a.m.; 20 employees evacuate safely. Abdulkarim is detained later that morning.
Wednesday, April 8: Kimberly-Clark activates its response team to manage customer impact and logistics.
Thursday, April 9: The District Attorney’s Office reviews social media evidence, leading to the formal filing of felony charges.
Friday, April 10 (Today): Abdulkarim is scheduled for his first court appearance and official arraignment.
Warehouse in Ontario burns down
An employee is accused of starting a massive warehouse fire in Ontario.
What they're saying:
Kimberly-Clark released a statement expressing gratitude to the first responders and clarifying their operational status.
"No Kimberly-Clark manufacturing assets were impacted... The company has activated its coordinated response plans and is working closely with local logistics providers to maintain continuity for customers."
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Employee suspected of arson in Ontario warehouse fire
Ontario police confirmed the focus of their investigation, telling FOX 11, "We are aware of the video that is circulating on social media... that will certainly be part of their ongoing investigation."
What's next:
Abdulkarim remains in custody without bail at the West Valley Detention Center.
Following today's arraignment, the court will establish a schedule for future hearings.
Kimberly-Clark has indicated it will provide more detailed information on the financial impact during its quarterly update on April 28.
The Source: This report is based on court records from the San Bernardino County Superior Court and charging documents from the District Attorney’s Office. Information regarding the suspect's arrest and the ongoing investigation was sourced from official statements by the Ontario Police Department and previous FOX 11 reports.