Ontario warehouse arson suspect pleads not guilty in first court appearance

The man facing federal arson charges after being accused of burning down an Ontario warehouse last week pleaded not guilty on Monday in his first court appearance.

Chamel Abdul Karim, 29, of Highland, was arrested on suspicion of intentionally causing a fire that torched the Kimberly-Clark Corporation paper products warehouse last Tuesday. He’s now facing state and federal charges of arson.

Appearing before a judge at a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom on Monday, Karim pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Investigators say they are reviewing all evidence from that morning, including social media videos that show someone starting fires inside the warehouse while talking about their salary frustration. Karim was an employee of NFI Industries, which is a third-party logistics partner of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Twenty employees were inside the warehouse at the time the fires broke out; they were able to vacate the premises unharmed. The blaze caused an estimated $500 million in damage.

The warehouse remains closed as of Monday evening as cleanup efforts continue. Kimberly-Clark said it’s working to relocate its workers to other locations as neighbors say they keep smelling smoke and wonder what happens next.

Workers were shocked that their colleague is accused of starting the fire. Christian Cázares reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

“You heard explosions and what you saw didn’t feel safe to stay here,” said Ana Rosete, who lives near the warehouse. “It lingered for days and I don’t think I opened my windows until yesterday.”

Karim, who faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted, is scheduled to return to court on May 6. His attorney declined to comment.