Arson Chamel Abdulkarim Federally Charged After Burning Down 1.2 Million Square-Foot Warehouse in Southern California

On Friday, Arson suspect Chamel Abdulkarim was federally charged in connection with the 6-alarm fire that destroyed a 1.2 million square-foot warehouse in Southern California.

Police on Thursday arrested Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, a disgruntled employee of a third-party distribution partner, Fox 11 reported.

As previously reported, a massive 6-alarm fire engulfed a 1 million square-foot warehouse in Ontario, California, on Tuesday.

The blaze broke out just after midnight on Tuesday morning.

“The Ontario Fire Department is battling a 6-alarm warehouse fire,” the San Bernardino Fire Department said.

“The building contains paper products. Units from many neighboring departments are on scene supporting the suppression efforts,” they said.

WATCH:

The Ontario Fire Department is battling a 6 alarm warehouse fire. The building contains paper products. Units from many neighboring departments are on scene supporting the suppression efforts. pic.twitter.com/KLNykaMbgY

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) April 7, 2026

Video posted to social media allegedly shows Abdulkarim setting paper goods on fire.

“All you had to do was pay us enough to f*cking live,” he said.

NEW: Disgruntled employee starts massive fire at a 1.2 million square foot warehouse in Ontario, California.

29-year-old Chamel Abdulkarim was arrested on arson charges for setting a Kimberly-Clark warehouse on fire.

Abdulkarim apparently filmed himself on Instagram setting… pic.twitter.com/VSpZKh3CgF

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 8, 2026

Federal prosecutors said Abdulkarim caused damages estimated at over $500 million.

“He is charged with arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and used in activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce,” First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said.

“This felony charge carries a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison,” Essayli said.

We have federally charged Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland, in connection with the massive blaze that destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse in Ontario early Tuesday morning, causing damages estimated at over $500 million.

Abdulkarim filmed himself setting merchandise… pic.twitter.com/4vEDUIgHRb

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) April 10, 2026

Chamel Abdulkarim is also facing state charges.

Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland, is charged with arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and used in activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce in connection with the massive blaze that destroyed an Ontario warehouse on April 7.

He faces a… pic.twitter.com/XxNDHvSmsS

— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) April 10, 2026

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