Overview
- The Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario, California, which caught fire around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, saw flames race through a roughly 1.2-million-square-foot warehouse.
- Firefighters reported a roof collapse and made an operational retreat as the blaze was upgraded to six alarms with more than 100 personnel shifting to defensive positions.
- About 20 workers evacuated safely with no injuries reported, and officials urged people to avoid South Hellman and the Merrill–Eucalyptus area because of heavy smoke and street closures.
- Investigators called the fire suspicious and detained an employee identified as a subject of interest for interviews by Ontario Police detectives.
- The warehouse stored large amounts of paper products that fueled rapid spread despite sprinklers, and crews expect to remain on scene through the day as investigators determine how it started and whether charges will follow.