What Happened To The Candle Factory?

On December 10, 2021, a devastating tornado tore through Mayfield, Kentucky. One of the businesses directly hit was the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, located on the west side of town. The factory had operated in Mayfield for over 20 years, providing candles to multiple brands and retailers. It employed around 110 workers on the night shift when disaster struck. As one of the largest employers in the small town, the factory was well known locally. But in an instant, the lives of the workers and the town changed forever.

When the tornado approached that evening, the employees had little warning or ability to take shelter. The large factory building suffered a direct hit from the EF4 twister. The tornado’s extreme winds decimated sections of the structure, trapping many workers inside. What followed was a frantic rescue effort to save the lives of those unable to escape the devastation.

The Collapse

On December 10, 2021, a devastating tornado tore through multiple U.S. states, leaving enormous destruction in its wake. One of the worst hit locations was the small town of Mayfield, Kentucky. Here, a candle factory occupied by 110 workers suffered a catastrophic collapse when the tornado struck the building.

The factory, owned by Mayfield Consumer Products, was operating a night shift at full capacity to meet holiday demand. At approximately 9:30pm local time, the massive EF4 tornado packing 190 mph winds ripped directly through the factory. The enormous winds tossed heavy equipment like bowling balls, causing the roof and walls to collapse on top of the workers inside.

Survivors described a scene of terror and chaos as the building came crashing down around them. Many were buried under 10-15 feet of rubble. Those who managed to escape described racing to get out amid sounds of shattering glass, screeching metal, and screams for help.

Fatalities and Injuries

The tornado outbreak on December 10, 2021 led to immense losses of life and devastating injuries at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky. When the factory was struck by the tornado, over 100 employees were working the night shift inside the building. The powerful winds caused the roof and walls to collapse, trapping many workers under dense piles of rubble.

At least 8 people were confirmed dead at the factory site after the tornado passed. The victims ranged in age from young adults to older, long-time employees. Over 40 other workers suffered injuries, with many requiring hospitalization for broken bones, head trauma, and other severe wounds. Some had to undergo surgery and extensive treatment to recover from the harrowing experience.

In the initial aftermath, over 90 people were reported missing from the factory as rescuers scrambled to search the wreckage. The death toll was initially feared to be much higher. While many employees were thankfully found alive, the loss of life remains devastating for the small, tight-knit community. The candle factory was one of the largest employers in Mayfield, and the families of the deceased continue to grieve their loved ones.

Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts began immediately after the collapse, with first responders arriving on the scene to search for survivors. Given the extensive damage and debris, rescuers faced significant challenges. The building was unstable and sections kept collapsing, forcing rescue crews to proceed cautiously.

Heavy machinery was brought in to carefully sift through the wreckage and remove large slabs of concrete and metal. Rescuers had to climb through tight spaces and small openings within the collapsed structure. The presence of natural gas leaks and downed power lines also posed hazards and slowed search efforts.

Search and rescue teams worked around the clock in 12 hour shifts. Over 200 emergency personnel were involved, including firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and volunteers. Specially trained dogs were also brought in to assist with locating and extracting survivors. The dangerous and complex nature of the rescue meant progress was slow.

Rescuers faced numerous difficulties like bad weather, unstable structure, heavy debris, and lack of voids and spaces for survivors. However, they persevered and searched relentlessly for victims, painstakingly going through the rubble piece by piece.

Aftermath and Damage

The collapse of the candle factory caused immense damage and destruction. According to reports, the concrete floor of the factory pancaked, with the upper floors falling directly onto the lower levels. This created a tangled mess of concrete, metal and other debris.

The factory, which operated 24 hours a day, employed around 110 workers. At the time of the collapse during the evening night shift, there were believed to be around 70-80 employees inside. Many were trapped under the rubble.

First responders described a devastating scene of widespread destruction. The factory was leveled to the ground, with some of the outer walls remaining standing but the interior floors having fully collapsed. Search and rescue teams worked for days sifting through the debris to find any survivors.

In the end, 8 people were confirmed dead in the collapse. But rescuers held out hope that more people might be found alive in air pockets beneath the rubble. The dangerous conditions made recovery efforts extremely difficult.

Investigations

In the aftermath of the collapse, multiple investigations were launched to determine the causes and who should be held liable. The Kentucky state government opened an investigation, as did the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These investigations focused on several key areas:

• Structural integrity of the building. Investigators examined whether the design and construction of the factory contributed to its collapse. They looked at factors like the age of the building, the materials used, and whether load limits were exceeded.
• Weather warnings and emergency plans. Investigators reviewed what weather warnings were issued before the tornado, whether adequate emergency plans and procedures were in place, and if factory management responded appropriately.
• Safety regulations and compliance. OSHA investigated whether the factory was meeting workplace safety codes and standards related to emergency preparedness, storm shelters, etc. Any prior safety violations were scrutinized.
• Decisions leading up to collapse. A key focus was understanding the sequence of events and decisions (by management and workers) that led to so many employees remaining in the building when the tornado hit. Why they weren’t evacuated or directed to shelter was examined.

The investigations aimed to establish a detailed timeline and uncover where the breakdowns occurred that resulted in so many preventable worker deaths and injuries. Their findings would determine culpability and guide reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

Lawsuits

In the aftermath of the factory collapse, many victims and families filed lawsuits against the candle factory owners and managers. Over 100 lawsuits were filed in total, alleging that the company acted negligently by keeping the factory open despite tornado warnings and by not allowing workers to immediately shelter when the tornado hit.

The lawsuits contend that workers were told they would be fired if they left their shifts early to seek shelter when sirens sounded. Managers are accused of locking doors and preventing employees from leaving. Families of the deceased workers sued for wrongful death damages, while injured survivors sued for workplace negligence.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs allege that the company cared more about production quotas than worker safety. The lawsuits are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The company denies any wrongdoing, but did reach private settlements in some early cases. However, many lawsuits are still pending and are expected to involve lengthy legal proceedings.

Factory Owners

The Kentucky candle factory that collapsed during the tornados was owned by Mayfield Consumer Products, a candle manufacturing company based in Kentucky. Mayfield Consumer Products was established in 1998 by Mary Propes and her husband in Mayfield. The company started out small but experienced tremendous growth over the years under the Propes’ leadership.

By 2021, Mayfield Consumer Products had expanded to operating multiple production facilities in Kentucky and other states. The company’s headquarters and main factory was located in Mayfield, Kentucky. This 100,000 square foot factory employed over 100 local residents and was a major employer in the small town. Mayfield Consumer Products gained national recognition for its high-quality candles, which were sold at major retailers across the country.

Leading up to the tornado disaster, Mayfield Consumer Products was on pace for another record sales year in 2021. The company’s success was a point of pride for Mayfield residents and a testament to the Propes’ entrepreneurship. The Propes family had deep ties to the local community and were well-respected business owners. However, the company also faced some criticism over employee safety policies prior to the collapse.

Safety Concerns

In the aftermath of the collapse, concerns were raised about the safety protocols and procedures at the candle factory. Some employees reported feeling pressure to stay at work even as storms approached, raising questions about the company’s emergency plans and preparedness. There were also questions about the structural integrity of the building and whether it was equipped to withstand severe weather events.

Some former employees came forward to allege a history of safety issues at the factory, including lack of regular safety drills for severe weather and tornadoes. They claimed there were no clear emergency plans communicated to workers about what to do in the event of a storm or where the designated shelter areas were located.

Others pointed to a lack of regular safety inspections and outdated building codes as factors that may have contributed to the devastating collapse. The age of the factory, which was decades old, also prompted concerns about whether it was engineered to today’s more rigorous building standards for withstanding powerful storms.

Investigations following the collapse examined these claims more closely to determine if safety regulations and protocols were substandard or lacking. The outcomes aimed to provide insights and lessons learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Impact and Legacy

The candle factory collapse had a profound impact on the Mayfield community and beyond. The loss of eight lives in this preventable tragedy sent shockwaves across Kentucky and the nation. It highlighted concerning gaps in emergency preparedness and drew renewed attention to the dangers of weak infrastructure that cannot withstand extreme weather events.

In the aftermath, the collapse galvanized efforts to improve worker safety and protect employees during natural disasters. It sparked calls for more stringent building codes, storm shelters, and emergency action plans. Many also hoped it would compel businesses to take a more proactive approach to closures and evacuations when dangerous storms loom.

For the families of those lost, the candle factory collapse left an everlasting void and scars that will remain for generations. They continue to grieve those taken too soon while seeking accountability and justice. Their loved ones’ lives serve as a reminder of the human toll of inadequate safety policies.

While no lessons can restore what was lost, many hoped the tragedy would prompt systemic changes to prevent similar losses of life in the future. The collapse highlighted the pressing need to strengthen emergency preparedness, infrastructure, and worker protections so that no one else would face the same preventable fate as those at the Mayfield candle factory.