ALBAWABA-A massive six-alarm fire destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse operated by Kimberly-Clark in Ontario, California, authorities said, in what investigators are treating as a case of suspected arson.
The facility, run by NFI Industries, stored large volumes of consumer paper products, including Kleenex tissues, Scott and Cottonelle toilet paper, and other hygiene goods. Officials said the warehouse played a key role in supplying tissue products to tens of millions of people across the western United States.
The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. and spread rapidly through highly flammable inventory, prompting the evacuation of about 20 employees. No injuries were reported, but the building’s roof collapsed, and the structure was declared a total loss. Fire crews from multiple agencies worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby businesses.
NEW: Footage shows the aftermath of the Ontario, California, fire that wiped out a 1.2M-square-foot tissue paper warehouse.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 9, 2026
29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim was allegedly upset about his pay, so he decided to burn the whole warehouse down.
The warehouse served the tissue paper… https://t.co/3HfrwMmd9q pic.twitter.com/iUfFE7QQ5e
Police arrested 29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim on suspicion of felony arson. Authorities said the suspect, an employee assigned to the site, allegedly recorded and shared videos showing him setting fire to pallets of toilet paper while voicing grievances over wages. He is currently being held without bail.
The Ontario Fire Department said the blaze was deemed “suspicious” early in the investigation, with a possible link to workplace-related motives. Both Kimberly-Clark and NFI Industries said they are cooperating fully with authorities. The destruction of the facility is expected to cause short-term disruptions to the regional supply of paper products.
