Brooke Martin
On December 11, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing mass destruction and claiming several lives. The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was one of the worst-hit sites, with the building flattened and at least eight people killed. Several workers reported that they were threatened with disciplinary action, including termination, if they left their shifts early before the tornado hit. This incident sparked discussions about the warning systems in place and the procedures followed by the candle factory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Factory Name | Mayfield Consumer Products |
| Number of Employees Trapped | 110 |
| Number of Employees Confirmed Dead | 8 |
| Number of Employees Missing | 8 |
| Number of Employees Injured | N/A |
| Number of OSHA Violations | 7 |
| Total Fines Issued | $40,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky candle factory workers threatened with firing if they left before the tornado hit
- At least eight people died inside the Mayfield Consumer Products factory
- Workers suffered injuries including burns, kidney damage, and bone fractures
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency
- An MMA fighter rescued his wife, her sister, and others from the factory
Kentucky candle factory workers threatened with firing if they left before the tornado hit
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, flattening the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory. Eight people died, and 110 people were trapped inside the factory, with many more injured.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, several employees claimed that supervisors threatened to fire them if they left work before the tornado hit. Haley Conder, 29, said that after the first siren stopped, workers should have been allowed to go home. However, when the second siren went off, managers told her and a group of workers who wanted to leave, "You can't leave. You have to stay here." Another employee, Elijah Johnson, 20, said he asked to leave and was told he would be fired. "Even with the weather like this, you're still going to fire me?" he asked. "Yes," a manager responded. Johnson added that bosses took a roll call to find out if anyone had already left.
McKayla Emery, 21, who was badly injured in the tornado, said she overheard managers telling workers, "If you leave, you're more than likely to be fired." Mark Saxton, 37, a forklift operator, said he would have liked to leave but wasn't given the option. "We should have been able to leave," he said.
Officials for Mayfield Consumer Products denied the allegations that workers were told they would be fired if they left. However, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance would undertake a review of the deaths at the factory, which is standard procedure when workers are killed on the job. The factory, which employed about 250 people, is now closed, and half of the remaining employees are being laid off.
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At least eight people died inside the Mayfield Consumer Products factory
On a deadly night in December 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was directly in the path of the tornado and sustained a direct hit. The factory was destroyed, with 110 people trapped inside. At least eight people died inside the factory, and eight more were still missing.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that the tornado was so strong that there was nowhere safe to hide inside the factory. The company that owns the factory, Mayfield Consumer Products, denied any wrongdoing and asserted that employees were free to leave if they wanted to. However, several employees claimed that their supervisors threatened them with firing if they left before the tornado hit. These workers alleged that their jobs would be at risk if they left, and some stayed out of fear for their livelihoods.
Haley Conder, a 29-year-old worker at the factory, recounted how she and several other workers approached managers to ask if they could leave after the first tornado warning passed without incident. She recalled managers telling them, "You can't leave, you can't leave, you have to stay here." Another employee, McKayla Emery, 21, also overheard managers telling workers they would likely be fired if they left.
The impact of the tornado on the factory was devastating. The building collapsed, and those inside suffered blunt force trauma and chemical burns from candle wax. The factory has since been fined $40,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for seven serious violations, including issues with exit routes and emergency action plans. The community of Mayfield, with a population of around 10,000, was left reeling from the tragedy, and many residents shared stories of trauma and survival.
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Workers suffered injuries including burns, kidney damage, and bone fractures
On a fateful Friday night in December 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. One of the worst-hit places was the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, where 110 people were trapped inside as the tornado struck. Eight workers lost their lives, and many others suffered injuries.
The candle factory, with 110 workers on the overnight shift, was directly hit by the tornado, resulting in catastrophic consequences. The building collapsed, trapping people under concrete walls and rubble. Several workers suffered severe injuries, including burns, kidney damage, and bone fractures.
McKayla Emery, a 21-year-old employee, recounted her harrowing experience. She was hit in the head by concrete and trapped for six hours. She suffered chemical burns on her legs, buttocks, and forehead from the hot candle wax. Additionally, she sustained damage to her kidney. Emery also reported hearing managers telling workers they were likely to be fired if they left before the tornado hit.
Another survivor, Elijah Johnson, shared his terrifying ordeal. He found himself trapped under a concrete wall, unable to move. He managed to call his father, screaming, "I'm stuck!" Johnson also questioned the company's tornado preparation and their decision to continue production despite the impending danger.
The tornado's impact on the candle factory raised concerns about worker safety and emergency preparedness. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the unprecedented strength of the tornado but also emphasized the importance of investigating sheltering procedures and the factory's compliance with safety regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Mayfield Consumer Products for seven serious violations, including issues with exit routes and emergency action plans, resulting in substantial fines.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency
In January 2025, Governor Beshear again declared a state of emergency in anticipation of an approaching winter storm. The declaration was made due to expected hazardous travel conditions and potential widespread power outages caused by snow, freezing rain, ice, and arctic temperatures. To address these concerns, the Governor activated units of the Kentucky National Guard and the state's emergency operations center. Beshear also reiterated the importance of providing information and resources to ensure the safety of Kentucky residents and those travelling through the state.
In December 2021, Kentucky faced devastating tornadoes, with one hitting a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky. Several employees at the factory claimed that they were threatened with firing if they left work before the tornado hit. The factory was destroyed, trapping 110 people inside, and resulting in several fatalities and injuries. The tornado caused substantial damage to structures and impacted the lives of many residents and workers.
The candle factory, owned by Mayfield Consumer Products, was left as a huge mound of debris. Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate and rescue those trapped. The company stated that they had found almost all of those initially reported missing. Despite the efforts, the incident resulted in tragic losses, with eight employees confirmed dead and many others injured or traumatized by the experience.
The Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear, provided updates on the death toll, which rose to 74 people in the state and 88 across multiple states impacted by the tornadoes. The Governor's declarations of a state of emergency in both 2024 and 2025 highlight the state's proactive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents in the face of severe weather conditions.
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An MMA fighter rescued his wife, her sister, and others from the factory
A Mayfield, Kentucky candle factory was hit by a tornado on Friday, December 10, 2021, trapping 110 workers inside. The tornado was part of a series of tornadoes that caused widespread destruction across several states, killing 88 people.
Among the 110 workers trapped in the factory were Roberta Brooke, her sister, and several other workers. Roberta, the wife of 41-year-old MMA fighter Brian Brooks, called her husband to tell him that she loved him and that she was trapped. Brooks, a 14-year veteran of the sport, immediately jumped into his truck and rushed to the factory.
Roberta and her sister were among those who were eventually rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged. In an interview, Roberta shared that she and the other workers inside the factory called their family members to express their love, unsure if they would make it out alive.
Brooks expressed his gratitude for his wife's survival, stating that he believed it was a miracle that she and his sister-in-law were alive. He also acknowledged the tragedy of the situation, offering his prayers for those who were less fortunate.
The tornado that hit the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was Kentucky's worst tornado in 130 years. It left the factory completely destroyed, with state officials initially fearing that up to 70 people may have died in the rubble. The company has since located almost all of those who were thought to be missing.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky.
A tornado.
December 11, 2021.
At least eight people died, and eight others were reported missing.
