Photo Released Of IE Arson Suspect Accused Of Setting Massive Warehouse Ablaze

ONTARIO, CA — A man accused of setting fire to the massive Kimberly-Clark warehouse where he worked in Ontario this week faces multiple federal charges, authorities announced on Friday, as they shared his booking photo for the first time.

Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland, was arrested on suspicion of arson on Tuesday. He was being held without bail at West Valley Detention Center. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges, and the complete list of charges will be released Friday.

A news conference was slated for Friday at 7:45 a.m. with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney's Office, the Ontario Police Department and the Ontario Fire Department.

"As part of investigative efforts, detectives served a search warrant at the suspect's residence in the City of Highland," the Ontario Police Department said prior to the news conference. "Evidence collected during the warrant service will be analyzed and may contribute to the progression of the case."

Police said they are investigating and authenticating a widely circulated video that purportedly shows the employee setting fire to pallets of paper products while ranting about low wages.

Editor's note: This video contains graphic language and images.

The one-million-square-foot distribution center went up in flames on Tuesday while about 20 workers were inside the building, including the man suspected of arson.

On Tuesday, an employee told Patch he didn't know if he had a job to return to this week. The employment status of the workers affected by the fire is not known.

Coworkers who fled the burning building initially thought the suspected arsonist was trapped inside. Later, the video posted to social media appeared to reveal that he was angrily setting pallets of toilet paper aflame with a lighter while ranting about poor pay at the facility.

The video, originally shared by Abdulkarim's account, has since been blocked. Ontario Police have confirmed to Patch that the video below appears to have been filmed by the suspect, a fact that will be determined during the investigation.

"All you had to do was pay us enough to live," the man who recorded the video repeats multiple times.

Third-party logistics partner NFI Industries has verified that Abdulkarim was an employee of that company.

"We are grateful that all employees are accounted for and no injuries have been reported," NFI spokesperson Britny Francis told Patch. "We have been informed that an NFI employee has been taken into custody, and we are cooperating with the authorities in their ongoing investigation."

They have not yet shared what the plan is for the employees of that facility, which they operate on behalf of Kimberly-Clark.

Supervisor Hagman's office directed any displaced workers seeking employment or training resources to visit the West Valley AJCC located at 9650 9th Street, Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga, or call 909-941-6500 for assistance.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Ontario Police Department or contact Detective Ryan Ronveaux at 909-408-1748. Information can be reported anonymously by calling WE-TIP at 800-78-CRIME or online at www.wetip.com.

Patch Local Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.