A 29-year-old worker has been charged with setting fire to a large warehouse housing Kimberly-Clark paper products in Ontario, California, authorities confirmed Friday. The fire, which broke out shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, damaged the 1.2-million-square-foot facility while about 20 employees were present.

Chamel Abdulkarim faces both state and federal charges related to the incident. Officials said a video posted on social media captured Abdulkarim igniting the blaze. In the footage, a voice discussing workers’ pay can be heard as a hand sets fire to stacks of paper products on a pallet, with other small fires visible in the background.

Federal authorities revealed that after starting the fire, Abdulkarim sent a text message to a co-worker comparing himself to Luigi Mangione, known for his anti-capitalist stance. Mangione, who gained attention in 2024 after allegedly killing the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in New York, has been embraced by some as a controversial folk figure opposing corporate power.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described Abdulkarim’s actions as a deliberate attempt to send a message against corporate practices. Additional videos posted by Abdulkarim to Facebook reportedly include statements critical of labor conditions and wages, although specific remarks have not been fully disclosed by authorities.

Officials continue to investigate the motivations behind the arson, while the Kimberly-Clark warehouse remains closed pending damage assessment and safety evaluations. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire, and emergency responders quickly contained the blaze to prevent further destruction.

The case highlights growing tensions around corporate labor practices and worker grievances in industrial settings. Authorities are pursuing a thorough inquiry into the incident as legal proceedings move forward.