SHAH ALAM – A worker has been arrested in connection with a major warehouse fire in California, that destroyed large sections of a facility storing household goods, prompting an arson investigation and concerns over possible supply chain disruption.
Based on international news reports, fire crews responded shortly after 12.30am on Tuesday (April 8) to a 1.2 million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark warehouse in Ontario, where paper-based products and essential household items were stored.
About 175 firefighters, supported by multiple engine and truck units, were deployed to tackle the six-alarm blaze, which rapidly spread through the building.
Firefighters initially attempted to contain the fire from inside the structure but were forced to withdraw due to extreme heat, continuing suppression efforts from outside.
It was reported that the Ontario Fire Department and Ontario Police Department said in a joint statement that the fire was eventually contained within the warehouse, with operations continuing into the evening to fully extinguish remaining hotspots.
Officials said an initial report of a missing person led to further checks before a 29-year-old employee, identified as Chamel Abdulkarim, was located and later named as a suspect in the case.
He was arrested on multiple arson-related charges and is being held without bail, authorities said.
Reports indicated that Abdulkarim was employed by NFI Industries, a third-party logistics company responsible for managing Kimberly-Clark products at the site, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Authorities are also reviewing social media activity linked to the suspect as part of their probe.
A video circulating online allegedly showed a man setting fire to stacks of paper products inside the warehouse while making remarks about wages and working conditions.
“All you had to do was pay us enough to live… There goes your inventory,” a voice was heard saying in the clip, according to reports from CBS News and the Los Angeles Times.
However, authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the footage or established a motive, saying all available evidence is being examined.
No injuries were reported among about 20 employees who were inside the building at the time of the fire.
Kimberly-Clark confirmed the facility was operated by NFI Industries and said no manufacturing equipment was affected. The company added that contingency plans had been activated to minimise disruption to customers.
“Kimberly-Clark’s supply chain network is designed for continuity during disruptions and mitigating actions are already in motion,” the company said.
Authorities have urged anyone with information on the case to assist investigations as inquiries continue.