Kentucky Candle Factory: The Last Successful Rescue Occurred Saturday, 3:30am

The candle factory located in Mayfield, Kentucky, was one of the hardest-hit locations from the storm. Over 110 workers were inside the building when it collapsed during the devastating tornado that struck the state of Kentucky and stayed on the ground for over 200 miles.

“We’re going to lose a lot of lives in that facility and I pray that there will be another rescue but it’s a very dire situation at this point,” Beshear admitted during a press conference on Saturday. “Seeing it, I think it was absolutely incredible, the number that were saved. I think the largest loss of life in this tornado event is and will be there. It may be the largest loss of life in any tornado event in a single location, and again, in the state’s history.”

“I think the approximate count is 40 people that have been rescued,” Beshear continued. “Obviously there were sensitivities to let families know. We still hope and pray that there is some opportunity for others.

Although President Joe Biden signed a federal emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky, the situation looks grim for more survivors.

"We believe we'll lose at least dozens of those individuals," Beshear said of the 110 people inside the factory. "It's very hard. Really tough. And we're praying for each and every one of those families."

So far, approximately only 40 workers have been rescued inside the factory. According to Beshear, the last rescue occurred at 3:30 AM on Saturday morning.

"We're gonna lose a lot of lives at that facility," Beshear added. "And I pray that there will be another rescue, and pray they'll be another one or two. But it's a very dire situation at this point."

One worker that survived the collapse was Kyanna Parsons-Perez, who was supposed to be celebrating her 40th birthday on Saturday. Instead, she found herself pinned beneath the rubble for hours as emergency crews dug through over five feet of debris to rescue her and her trapped coworkers.

“I mean, if you look at the pictures, I literally had to climb up out of the building after it fell on us,” she explained. “I was one of the last people to make it out of the little area that I was in. I think there were about six or seven of us. We couldn’t breathe. People were going in and out of consciousness.”

She documented the tragedy in a series of videos that she uploaded to Facebook Live.

In a short statement by Mayfield Consumer Products CEO Troy Propes:

“Our Mayfield, Kentucky facility was destroyed December 10, 2021, by a tornado, and tragically employees were killed and injured. We’re heartbroken about this, and our immediate efforts are to assist those affected by this terrible disaster. Our company is family-owned and our employees, some who have worked with us for many years, are cherished. We’re immediately establishing an emergency fund to assist our employees and their families.”

He added, “We’re grateful to the first responders who heroically assisted our employees following the storm. And, we’re thankful for those who are generously offering to assist us. Your prayers are needed and appreciated.”

They have opened up an MCP Candles Tornado Victims’ Fund through Paypal and are seeking donations from the public.