Jessie Taylor
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, destroying the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory and killing eight people. The factory, which was family-owned, had around 110 employees working that night to meet the high demand for candles during the holiday season. The tragedy led to multiple lawsuits against the company, with workers claiming they were threatened with termination if they left the factory despite the worsening weather conditions.
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What You'll Learn
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was destroyed by a tornado
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and leaving several people dead. Among the buildings destroyed by the tornado was the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, a family-owned candle manufacturer. The factory was left in ruins, with its walls and roof completely collapsed, and debris strewn across the site.
Mayfield Consumer Products had been in operation since 1998 and employed around 245 people at the time of the tornado. On the night of the disaster, approximately 110 people were working inside the factory. As the tornado approached, workers were instructed to take shelter in the building's bathrooms, which had windowless concrete walls and a steel roof. Unfortunately, the tornado's force was too strong, and the factory was unable to withstand it.
In the aftermath of the tornado, eight deaths were confirmed among those inside the factory, with several others still missing. Many workers were left trapped under the rubble, and emergency response teams worked tirelessly to search for survivors and recover those who had perished. The situation was made even more challenging due to the presence of heavy machinery, collapsed structures, and corrosive chemicals that had been stored on-site.
The tornado's impact on the Mayfield Consumer Products factory raised questions about the company's handling of the situation. Several workers claimed that they had wanted to leave earlier in the night when the first tornado warning sirens sounded but were threatened with firing if they left their shifts. Company officials denied these allegations, stating that employees were free to leave whenever they wanted.
The company's CEO, Troy Propes, expressed heartbreak over the disaster and pledged to assist those affected. He also emphasized that Mayfield Consumer Products was a family-owned business and that its employees were cherished. The tornado's destruction of the Mayfield Consumer Products factory in Kentucky highlighted the devastating impact of natural disasters on businesses and communities, leaving behind a trail of tragedy and prompting discussions about preparedness and response.
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110 employees were working when the tornado hit
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a tornado hit the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, while 110 employees were working. The factory was destroyed, and eight people were confirmed dead, with several others injured.
The candle factory in Mayfield was a family-owned business that employed 245 people as of July 2018. The company was founded in Mayfield in 1998 and was still hiring to meet market demand at the time of the tornado. The factory was the third-biggest employer in Graves County and paid its workers $8 per hour for 10- to 12-hour shifts.
In the aftermath of the tornado, there have been questions about whether the company did enough to prevent the deaths of those trapped inside the building. Several employees have claimed that supervisors threatened to fire them if they left before the tornado hit. Some workers left anyway, out of fear for their safety. However, company officials have denied these allegations, stating that employees were free to leave whenever they wanted.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called it miraculous that more people weren't found dead among the wreckage. He described the scene as "pretty awful," with heavy machinery, flattened buildings, and cars from the parking lot on top of it.
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Eight people were confirmed dead, eight were missing
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, destroying the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory and causing catastrophic damage. Eight people were confirmed dead, and eight were missing from among the 110 employees working that day. The factory was flattened, with cars from the parking lot on top of the rubble, along with heavy machinery and huge metal drums. The company CEO, Troy Propes, said they were "heartbroken" and that their "immediate efforts are to assist those affected".
The tornado struck on a Friday evening, a time when the factory would have been busy with workers on 10- to 12-hour shifts. The factory employed many people from Mayfield, a city of about 10,000, and was the third-biggest employer in Graves County. The company was founded in Mayfield in 1998 and was family-owned, with 245 employees at the time of its founding.
In the aftermath of the tornado, allegations surfaced that workers had been threatened with firing if they left their shifts early, despite the dangerous weather conditions. Several employees claimed their jobs were at risk if they left before the twister hit. Company officials denied these allegations, stating that employees were free to leave whenever they wanted.
The impact of the tornado extended beyond the physical destruction of the factory. Three employees initiated legal action against the company, citing causes of action before, during, and after the tornado. The specifics of these legal actions were not disclosed. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his shock at the scene, stating that it was miraculous more people weren't found dead among the wreckage.
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Workers sued the company, claiming they were threatened with termination if they left
On Friday night, a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, was destroyed by a tornado. The factory employed 110 people, eight of whom died, and 110 were trapped inside the building. Several employees at the factory claimed their jobs were at risk if they left before the tornado hit. Workers sued the company, claiming they were threatened with termination if they left.
According to NBC News, at least five employees said they were told by supervisors that they would lose their jobs if they left their shifts early. "If you leave, you're more than likely to be fired," said 21-year-old McKayla Emery, who heard this with her "own ears." Another employee, Elijah Johnson, 20, said, "I asked to leave, and they told me I'd be fired."
Company officials denied the allegations, with Bob Ferguson, a spokesman for Mayfield Consumer Products, stating, "It's absolutely untrue." Ferguson added that the company had a policy in place since the COVID-19 pandemic began, allowing employees to leave whenever they wanted and return the next day. He also asserted that they followed guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Despite the denials, multiple workers came forward to share their experiences. McKayla Emery, who was hit in the head by concrete and suffered chemical burns from candle wax, recounted hearing managers tell four workers who wanted to leave, "'You can't leave, you can't leave, you have to stay here.'" Haley Conder, 29, shared a similar account, stating that managers told her to stay for safety reasons after the first siren stopped. While the initial tornado warning passed without incident, a second siren later went off, prompting workers to ask if they could go home.
The tornado's impact was so severe that Kentucky's governor, Andy Beshear, acknowledged there was nowhere safe to hide inside the plant. Workers were instructed to huddle in a central hallway area, the building's strongest section. Some employees had heeded the earlier warning siren and left before the tornado struck. In the aftermath of the tragedy, CEO Troy Propes, the son of Mary Propes, expressed heartbreak and pledged to assist those affected.
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The company pledged a review of its safety measures
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Kentucky was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021. The company has pledged a review of its safety measures following the tragedy.
The tornado caused the factory building to collapse, trapping 110 people inside. Eight deaths were confirmed, and eight people were reported missing. The company's CEO, Troy Propes, issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the incident and stating that their immediate efforts were to assist those affected. Propes also mentioned that the company is family-owned and that their employees are cherished.
In the aftermath of the tornado, several employees came forward with allegations that they were threatened with firing if they left their shifts before the tornado hit. Some workers left anyway, fearing for their safety. Company officials, including spokesman Bob Ferguson, denied these allegations, stating that employees could leave whenever they wanted and that the company followed guidelines from relevant agencies.
As the company faces lawsuits from survivors and questions about whether it did enough to prevent the deaths, it is essential to review its safety protocols and emergency response procedures. The company must also address employee allegations and ensure that its policies prioritize the well-being and safety of its workers.
The review of safety measures should encompass various aspects. Firstly, the company should reevaluate its emergency response protocols, ensuring that employees are promptly directed to safe areas during severe weather events. Secondly, the structural integrity of the factory should be assessed, implementing any necessary reinforcements to withstand extreme conditions. Thirdly, the company should establish clear and frequent communication channels with employees, keeping them informed about potential hazards and providing them with the option to leave early if they feel unsafe. Finally, the company should provide comprehensive training for managers and supervisors, emphasizing the importance of employee safety and the appropriate protocols to follow during emergencies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021.
Yes, eight people were confirmed dead and eight were reported missing.
Yes, there were survivors. However, many were injured and some shared that they were not permitted to leave the factory despite the worsening weather conditions.
Yes, the company's spokesperson, Bob Ferguson, expressed that they were "heartbroken" and that their immediate efforts are to assist those affected by this terrible disaster. They also established an emergency fund to support employees and their families.
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