Ontario Warehouse Arson Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea in Court Debut
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Arson Charges After Warehouse Fire
A 29-year-old man accused of setting fire to an Ontario warehouse has pleaded not guilty to federal arson charges during his initial court appearance on Monday.
Chamel Abdul Karim, a resident of Highland, was arrested last week following an incident that resulted in significant damage to the Kimberly-Clark Corporation paper products warehouse. The fire occurred last Tuesday, leading to both state and federal charges against him.
During the hearing at a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom, Karim entered his plea, maintaining his innocence. Investigators have indicated they are thoroughly examining evidence from the day of the fire, which includes social media videos capturing an individual starting fires inside the warehouse while expressing concerns about their salary. At the time of the incident, Karim was employed by NFI Industries, a logistics partner for Kimberly-Clark.
Fortunately, all twenty employees present in the warehouse at the time managed to evacuate safely. The aftermath of the blaze has been catastrophic, with estimates placing the damage at around $500 million.
As of Monday evening, the warehouse remains closed as cleanup operations continue. Kimberly-Clark is actively working to relocate its employees, while nearby residents report lingering smoke and growing concerns regarding the incident’s implications.
Ana Rosete, a local resident, described the chaotic scene, saying, “You heard explosions and what you saw didn’t feel safe to stay here. It lingered for days, and I don’t think I opened my windows until yesterday.”
Karim faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the charges. He is next scheduled to appear in court on May 6. His attorney has not provided any comments on the case.
