Brooke Martin
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing severe damage to the town and its candle factory, Mayfield Consumer Products. The factory was founded in 1998 and employed 110 people at the time of the tornado, some of whom were working overtime to meet the Christmas demand for candles. Eight people were killed, and multiple others were injured and trapped in the wreckage. The company faced lawsuits from employees who claimed they were threatened with termination if they left the building before the tornado hit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the factory | Mayfield Consumer Products |
| Year established | 1998 |
| Location | 112 Industrial Drive, Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Type of business | Family-owned |
| Number of employees | 110 |
| Products | Branded candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products |
| Retailers | Bath & Body Works |
| Incidents | Destroyed by a tornado on December 10, 2021, resulting in eight deaths and multiple injuries |
| Lawsuits | Multiple lawsuits were filed against the company for allegedly forcing employees to stay in the factory during the tornado |
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What You'll Learn
The tornado hit the candle factory on December 10, 2021
On December 10, 2021, a powerful tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Among the buildings devastated by the storm was the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, where approximately 110 people were working at the time. The factory, located at 112 Industrial Drive in Mayfield, was family-owned and manufactured candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products. It was one of the town's largest employers, and the busy Christmas season meant that many employees were working extra hours.
Kyanna Parsons-Perez, one of the workers at the factory, recounted the terrifying moments as the tornado struck. She described feeling a gust of wind and her ears popping, followed by the sensation of the building rocking. Then, everything came crashing down. Parsons-Perez turned to Facebook Live to plead for help, broadcasting her desperate situation to the world. "I don't know who's watching," she said, her panicked coworkers audible in the background. "Y'all please send us some help. We are trapped."
The tornado levelled the factory, leaving only the concrete foundation intact. Eight of the 110 people in the factory perished, and another eight were reported missing. The company faced intense scrutiny and multiple lawsuits in the aftermath, with allegations surfacing that employees had been threatened with termination if they tried to leave the building before the tornado struck. Mayfield Consumer Products denied these claims, stating that their employees were "cherished."
The impact of the tornado extended far beyond the candle factory. Governor Andy Beshear described the storm as the "most severe tornado event in Kentucky's history", with at least 70 fatalities in the state. The tornado left few buildings standing in Mayfield, a town of about 10,000 people. The devastation was unlike anything the community had ever seen before, and emergency response crews from across the state rushed to aid in the search and rescue efforts.
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The factory was owned by Mayfield Consumer Products
The company supplied candles and fragrances to prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works. In 2018, Mayfield Consumer Products invested over $8.3 million to expand its operations. The company also received tax incentives from the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet in 2011 and 2018, totalling up to $1.5 million in exchange for adding jobs at the factory.
On December 10, 2021, the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was hit by a powerful tornado, resulting in eight deaths and multiple injuries. Over 100 employees were on-site at the time, and dozens were trapped in the wreckage. The company faced multiple lawsuits and criticism for its handling of the situation, with allegations that employees were threatened with termination if they tried to leave the building as the tornado approached.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mayfield Consumer Products established an emergency fund to assist affected employees and their families. The company also faced scrutiny from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which had previously identified serious safety violations at the factory in 2019. Despite the devastation, the company announced plans to expand its operations in 2022, investing $33.3 million over five years and aiming to employ more than 500 people.
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There were 110 employees in the factory at the time
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through the Mayfield Consumer Products factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, causing severe damage and resulting in multiple casualties. The factory employed 110 people at the time of the disaster, with more than 100 employees on-site during the tornado.
Mayfield Consumer Products is a family-owned business that manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products. It was founded in 1998 by Mary Propes, who started the company in her garage. Over the years, the business expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest employers in Mayfield and the surrounding area. The factory was an important economic engine, producing candles that were sold to prominent retailers across the United States, including Bath & Body Works.
In the aftermath of the tornado, rescue and recovery efforts were immediate. Governor Andy Beshear described the devastation at the site, with the building flattened and heavy machinery and vehicles piled on top. Eight fatalities were confirmed at the factory, with eight others initially reported missing. The tornado's direct hit on the facility trapped employees under the collapsed roof, leading to tragic losses.
The disaster also brought controversy to the company, with multiple employees filing lawsuits. Allegations surfaced that management threatened to fire employees if they left the building before the tornado struck. The company denied these claims but faced scrutiny over worker safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration had previously identified serious safety violations at the factory in 2019, resulting in fines.
The impact of the tornado on the Mayfield Consumer Products factory was profound, and the community was left reeling. The company planned to invest in expansion and create more jobs in the following years, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to the region's recovery.
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Eight people died, and several others were injured or went missing
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, resulting in eight deaths and several injuries. The factory, Mayfield Consumer Products, was a family-owned business that manufactured branded candles and home fragrance products. More than 100 employees were on-site at the time of the tornado, and many were trapped in the wreckage.
The tornado caused significant damage to the factory, reducing it to rubble and levelling the building. The storm also devastated the nearby town of Mayfield, with few buildings left standing. Search and rescue efforts were immediately underway, with emergency response crews working to locate survivors and assist those affected.
The tornado hit the factory during a busy time, as the company was working to meet the high demand for candles during the holiday season. The factory had been operating 24/7, with employees working extra hours and long shifts to fulfil Christmas demand. The company was still hiring at the time of the tornado to meet market demands.
The tragedy raised questions about the company's handling of the situation. Multiple employees filed lawsuits against Mayfield Consumer Products, alleging that management threatened to fire them if they tried to leave the building before the tornado hit. The company denied these claims but faced criticism for their actions during the storm. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also noted that the building had serious safety violations in a 2019 inspection, resulting in fines.
The impact of the tornado extended beyond the factory, affecting the wider community in Mayfield. The factory was one of the largest employers in the area, providing jobs for many residents. The destruction of the factory and the subsequent loss of life had a profound impact on the town, with Governor Andy Beshear describing the storm as the "most severe tornado event in Kentucky's history."
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The company faced multiple lawsuits from employees
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and multiple fatalities. The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was one of the buildings destroyed by the tornado, resulting in eight deaths and multiple injuries.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mayfield Consumer Products faced multiple lawsuits from employees and their families. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits made several allegations against the company, including:
- The company refused to let employees leave the building, even though they had notice of the impending danger. It was alleged that employees were threatened with termination if they tried to leave before the tornado struck.
- The company defamed the character and portrayed employees in a false light by publicly contradicting their claims about what happened in the factory during the tornado.
- The company retaliated against employees who gave interviews to news organizations and participated in filings with the National Labor Relations Board.
- The company was negligent in providing emergency training to employees.
In addition to these allegations, there were also claims of false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, a judge denied these particular claims.
As of 2024, three years after the tornado, four lawsuits against Mayfield Consumer Products were still unresolved. The largest of these lawsuits was a mass action brought by the families of four employees who died and 14 survivors. Lawyers for the former employees expressed frustration at the pace of the litigation, noting the ongoing hardships faced by their clients.
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Frequently asked questions
Mayfield Consumer Products, a family-owned business that manufactured branded candles and home fragrance products.
Eight people who were working at the Mayfield Consumer Products plant died.
Yes, multiple employees filed lawsuits against the company, stating that management had threatened to fire employees if they tried to leave the building.
In 2019, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the candle factory and issued a report identifying 12 violations, seven of which were labelled as "serious".
Yes, Mayfield Consumer Products was one of the largest employers in Mayfield, with around 110 employees working in the factory when the tornado hit.
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