What should have been a peaceful place of remembrance for young Olivia Pratt-Korbel has been disrespected by reckless vandals.
The Liverpool community, still grieving the loss of the nine-year-old who was tragically murdered in her own home, is now facing fresh heartache after part of her memorial site was set on fire.
The emotional toll on Olivia’s family, friends, and the local charity supporting her legacy has been enormous.
But even amid the ashes, their message is one of strength, education, and hope.
Fire Damages Site Built in Olivia’s Memory
Earlier this week, a fire broke out near the special tree planted in honor of Olivia.
It happened late on Monday near Finch Lane in Liverpool—the same area where Olivia tragically lost her life in August 2022.
The land, now being developed into a positive space for local kids by Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation, became the target of what many are calling a senseless act of vandalism.
The blaze destroyed a large pile of plastic barriers, which were being used by HA Civils—a local company volunteering their time and resources to help transform the space.
Sadly, the fire is believed to have been started by local kids playing recklessly with fire.
The Charity Speaks Out: “Heartbroken and Disappointed”
A representative from Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation, which was founded by a cousin of Olivia’s mum, Cheryl, didn’t hold back in their emotional response.
Alongside a video showing the damage, they shared their heartbreak on social media.
“Unfortunately, this is the aftermath of children playing with fire on the Finch Lane land where Olivia’s memorial tree sits,” the charity wrote.
“We are extremely disappointed and it breaks our hearts to see a local firm lose out financially—and our land destroyed.”
Despite the setback, the foundation made it clear this act of arson has only strengthened their resolve to create something beautiful in Olivia’s memory.
A Call to Educate and Protect
In their heartfelt message, the charity emphasized the need to better educate children about the dangers of fire—not just about the immediate risks, but the long-lasting impact their actions can have on others.
“This could have been so much worse,” they warned. “So many other people or things could have been affected.
We need to teach our children not just about fire safety, but about respecting spaces that mean something to others.”
Local Residents Tried to Intervene
Local resident Craig Anthony commented on the charity’s post, revealing that he had tried to stop the fire by throwing water on it.
He said he was deeply frustrated by the incident, especially knowing how meaningful the area is to the entire community.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue later confirmed that a large quantity of plastic barriers had been deliberately set alight. The incident is under police investigation.
Olivia’s Life and Legacy Still Strongly Felt
Olivia’s story is one that shocked the nation. She was standing behind her mum when Thomas Cashman—an armed gang member—fired blindly through their front door, trying to kill a rival.
The bullet passed through Cheryl’s hand and hit Olivia in the chest, ending her young life in an instant.
Her killer, Thomas Cashman, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 42 years—a punishment fitting for what the judge described as a “chilling” and “grave” crime.
A Mother’s Unbearable Grief
In a powerful victim impact statement, Olivia’s mum Cheryl described how much she misses the sound of her daughter’s voice.
“She never stopped talking. I’d give anything just to hear her call me ‘Mum’ again,” she said. “It’s so quiet now.
So lonely. She’ll never get to wear a prom dress or walk down the aisle or become a mum herself. All of that future was cruelly taken.”
A Community United in Grief—and Determination
While the fire has dealt a painful blow to the community’s efforts to honor Olivia, it’s also sparked a wave of support and solidarity.
The Foundation made it clear they’re not backing down—they’re more committed than ever to building something beautiful in Olivia’s name.
The message is loud and clear: Olivia’s legacy won’t be destroyed by fire or ignorance.
Her spirit continues to inspire a community that refuses to let her memory fade.