Kimberly-Clark Distribution Center Engulfed in Flames: Arson Investigation Underway
ONTARIO, California (en-CA) – A devastating six-alarm fire completely destroyed a massive Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario, California, early Tuesday morning. The blaze, suspected to be arson, prompted a significant response from fire crews and led to the arrest of a suspect.
The Inferno Unfolds
The fire erupted shortly after 12:30 a.m. near the intersection of Hellman and Merrill avenues. The Ontario Fire Department responded with a formidable force – 175 firefighters and 20 engines – battling the intense flames that illuminated the night sky. The sheer scale of the fire was breathtaking, visible for miles around.
The affected facility, a sprawling 1.2 million square foot warehouse (roughly the size of 11 city blocks), was fully involved. The building’s contents – a vast inventory of paper products including Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers – fueled the rapid spread of the fire. This contributed to the intensity and duration of the firefighting efforts.
Fire Suppression and Containment
While the warehouse was equipped with a fire suppression system, its effectiveness was compromised when a section of the roof collapsed. Despite this challenge, firefighters worked tirelessly for nearly twelve hours to contain the blaze, successfully preventing it from spreading to adjacent businesses. Several tractor-trailers docked at the facility were unfortunately lost in the fire.
Suspicious Circumstances and Arrest
From the outset, fire officials noted suspicious characteristics of the fire, including its rapid spread and potential multiple points of origin. “Upon making entry, continuing to try to locate the scene of the fire, they quickly realized that there was fire throughout the structure,” stated Deputy Chief Mike Wedell. This led investigators to quickly suspect arson.
Initially, one employee was reported missing, raising concerns. However, the missing individual was later identified as the prime suspect, 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim of Highland. Abdulkarim, an employee of NFI Industries, a third-party distributor for Kimberly-Clark, was arrested on multiple felony arson-related charges and is currently being held without bail.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the alleged arson, but tips from the community, potentially stemming from social media activity, played a crucial role in identifying Abdulkarim. Police confirmed they had no prior contact with the suspect.
Impact and Aftermath
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. However, the incident has left approximately 20 employees without jobs. “It is going to affect us all the way around, no matter how we look at it,” said a warehouse employee named Mark.
A significant smoke plume lingered over the area for hours, prompting air quality warnings for vulnerable populations, including children and seniors. Residents described the scene as terrifying. “It was more than ‘Wow,’ it was like, ‘Oh my god. We need to run,’” recounted neighbor Teri Cruz.
By Tuesday afternoon, the fire was largely under control, and crews began the process of extinguishing remaining hotspots and assessing the full extent of the damage. The investigation into the cause and circumstances surrounding the fire is ongoing.
Source: ABC7 News
