A massive fire completely destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario, California, early on April 7, 2026. The warehouse, operated by third-party logistics firm NFI Industries, was packed wall-to-wall with paper products including toilet paper, Kleenex tissues, Huggies diapers, and Cottonelle. It spanned an area roughly equivalent to 11 city blocks.

When firefighters arrived, the blaze had already grown out of control. Despite a rapid response involving around 175 firefighters and 20 fire engines, the building’s sprinkler system was overwhelmed by the highly flammable contents. Crews were forced to pull back and fight the fire from the exterior only. The roof soon collapsed, and the entire facility along with its massive inventory was declared a total loss. No injuries were reported.

The suspect, 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim of Highland, California, worked for NFI Industries at the site. A co-worker reported seeing him loading trailers just a couple of hours before the fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. During a break, he reportedly walked off, and shortly afterward the alarms sounded.

Abdulkarim allegedly recorded himself on his phone as he deliberately set the fire. The video, which he posted to Instagram (since removed), showed him walking through the warehouse aisles and using a lighter to ignite multiple pallets of paper goods in different locations. While doing so, the facility’s intercom could be heard announcing the fire alarm, yet he continued. He repeatedly voiced his grievance, stating variations of:

“All you had to do was pay us enough to live.”

At one point he added comments along the lines of the products being “dirt cheap” despite the pay issues. Toward the end of the clip, as flames raged in the corridor behind him, he turned to the camera and said:

“There goes your inventory.”

Online viewers who saw the video quickly recognized what it depicted and contacted police with tips. Officers arrested Abdulkarim the same night. He faces multiple felony arson charges and is being held without bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Kimberly-Clark noted that the distribution center was run by their logistics partner NFI and activated a response team to assist affected workers and help limit disruptions to customers. The incident underscores how vulnerable large warehouses filled with combustible materials can be once multiple ignition points are set.

Regardless of any frustrations over wages or working conditions, deliberately torching a massive facility like this is a serious criminal act that endangers lives, destroys livelihoods, and causes widespread economic harm. The legal process will now determine the full consequences he faces.