A worker accused of igniting a massive fire at an Ontario warehouse entered a plea of not guilty during his initial court appearance on Monday.
Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, presented his plea in San Bernardino County Superior Court, facing seven arson charges that could result in a life sentence. He is alleged to have recorded himself starting the fire, which caused $500 million in damages to property and goods.
Abdulkarim, a resident of Highland, is also facing an additional federal charge for arson of a building involved in interstate and foreign commerce.
Abdulkarim is currently held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 6.
