ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA — A massive 6-alarm fire tore through a Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario early Tuesday morning, destroying the 1.2-million-square-foot facility, its entire inventory, and multiple big-rig trucks parked at the loading docks. An employee reported missing during the initial evacuation is now in custody as the primary arson suspect. All 20 employees on site escaped unharmed.
Photo credit: KTTV
The fire broke out at approximately 12:30 a.m. at the facility near Eucalyptus and South Hellman Avenue. The building houses large quantities of household paper products including Kleenex and toilet paper. More than 140 firefighters from multiple agencies across LA County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County responded. The internal sprinkler system activated but could not contain the blaze due to the sheer volume of paper products fueling the flames. The fire caused a partial roof collapse. Several big-rig trucks parked at the loading docks were also damaged or destroyed. The building and its entire contents are a total loss.
Ontario Police later detained a male employee who had been reported missing during the evacuation. That employee is currently in custody as the primary arson suspect. Authorities have not released his identity. It remains unclear where within the structure the fire originated or the specific method used to ignite the paper products.
Crews have transitioned to a defensive exterior-only approach to extinguish remaining hotspots. The Ontario Police Department’s drone team is using thermal imaging to identify hot spots and guide water streams from a safe distance. The fire is contained but not yet fully extinguished.
Authorities warned of significant smoke and falling ash in the surrounding area. Residents are advised to avoid the area and stay indoors if possible.
Kimberly-Clark released a statement confirming no injuries. “Safety is our top priority, and we can confirm there are no reported injuries. The facility is operated by a third-party partner, and we are working closely with them and local authorities. We will share additional information as it becomes available,” the company said.
Anyone with information about the start of the fire is asked to contact the Ontario Police Department’s investigative tip line at (909) 986-6711.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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