A judge denied bail on Wednesday for Chamel Abdulkarim, the 29-year-old Highland man accused of setting a massive fire that destroyed a 1-million-square-foot warehouse in Ontario. Abdulkarim's attorney had requested his release on a $2,000 bond, but the court ruled against it.
Abdulkarim is charged with intentionally igniting multiple fires inside the distribution center, which was leased by Kimberly-Clark and operated by third-party logistics partner NFI Industries, where he was employed. Federal authorities allege that Abdulkarim was angry over wages and corporate profits, and that he recorded himself during the incident.
Investigators identified him after reviewing social media videos and statements he allegedly made following the fire. In one video, a voice believed to be Abdulkarim's says, "All you had to do was pay us enough to live." The fire caused an estimated $500 million in losses, destroying the entire warehouse and its contents, which included paper products that fueled the flames for hours.
A former colleague of Abdulkarim, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed dismay, stating that the fire is "ruining people's lives" and that such actions only make things worse for others. Firefighters managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings and a residential neighborhood.
Kimberly-Clark, the consumer goods company known for brands like Huggies, Kleenex, Depend, and Kotex, said it is working to relocate affected employees and minimize disruptions to customers. Abdulkarim's next court hearing is scheduled for August.