The arson suspect who was accused of starting a massive fire that destroyed a 1 million-square-foot warehouse in Ontario was denied bail Wednesday.
The attorney for Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, had requested that the Highland man be released on $2,000.
Abdulkarim is accused of intentionally setting multiple fires inside the distribution center leased by Kimberly-Clark while recording himself. Federal authorities alleged the suspect, who was employed by the warehouse, was angry over wages and corporate profits.
Investigators said Abdulkarim was identified and arrested after authorities combed through social media videos and statements he allegedly made after the fire.
“All you had to do was pay us enough to live,” the person in one of the videos said. Officials alleged the voice from the video is that of Abdulkarim.
The fire destroyed the entire warehouse and caused approximately $500 million in losses, according to the Department of Justice.
Abdulkarim’s former colleague, who relied on warehouse jobs for his livelihood, said the fire allegedly started by Abdulkarim is “ruining people’s lives.”
“There are things going on in the world right now, but you don’t go burning a building down because your life is more important. You are just going to make others peoples lives worse,” the man, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
The Kimberly-Clark Corporation said the distribution center was operated by third party logistic partner NFI Industries, of which Karim was an employee. It housed paper products that firefighters said fueled the flames for hours. The company said it is working to relocate employees to other locations and minimize the impact to customers and consumers.
Firefighters prevented flames from spreading to other buildings and a nearby neighborhood.
Kimberly-Clark is a consumer goods and personal care business that produces mostly paper-based sanitary products. Its brands include Huggies, Kleenex, Depend, Kotex and others.
Abdulkarim’s next court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 26.