The mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has been left heartbroken after a memorial area created in memory of her murdered daughter was set on fire.
The playground, established near the family's Liverpool home, was partly destroyed after children playing with fire sparked a blaze earlier this week.
The incident has devastated Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel, who set up the park after her nine-year-old daughter was shot dead in August 2022.
Olivia was murdered when Thomas Cashman burst into her home in Liverpool, firing at gangland rival Joseph Nee who had run inside to escape.
The playground was established close to where Olivia's family live as a tribute to the schoolgirl.
The fire occurred on April 16, with the Olivia's Butterfly Foundation charity posting a video of the damage on Facebook.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed in Liverpool in 2022
PAThe foundation, established by Cheryl's cousin Rebecca Louise, said: "Unfortunately, this is the aftermath of children playing with fire on the Finch Lane land where Olivia's memorial tree sits."
They added that the blaze had also damaged equipment belonging to HA Civils, a local company helping develop the land.
The foundation continued: "We need to educate our children on the dangers of playing with fire whether done intentionally or not and most certainly on the consequences of doing so."
And local resident Craig Anthony tried to step in - but to no avail. "I tried to stop them even by throwing water over one of the culprits while they were still under the barriers trying to relight it," he said.
THE OLIVIA PRATT-KORBEL CASE - AS IT HAPPENED:
- Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Man accused of murdering nine-year-old girl 'lay in wait with two loaded guns' for intended target
- Gunman Thomas Cashman found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
- Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum urges killer to 'own up' in emotional plea: 'No one should have to go through this'
Olivia had been standing behind her mother when murderer Cashman blindly fired through the front door
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Merseyside Police has launched an investigation into the incident.
Back in 2022, Olivia had been standing behind her mother when murderer Cashman blindly fired through the front door.
The bullet missed Nee and instead passed through Cheryl's hand before striking Olivia in the chest.
Moments earlier, the frightened child had run from her bedroom after hearing the commotion, screaming: "Mum, I'm scared".
Cashman was jailed for life with a minimum of 42 years for what the judge called a "particularly grave and chilling" crime.
Olivia's mother sobbed during sentencing - while clutching a pink teddy bear made from her daughter's pyjamas.
Cheryl Korbel (centre) mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives with family members at Manchester Crown Court PAThe killer refused to attend his own sentencing after claiming prosecutors sang "We are the Champions" following his conviction.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Cheryl spoke of feeling "helpless" and unable to save her daughter due to her own injury.
"Liv never stopped talking. She would be chatting away. One thing I miss most is hearing her say 'mum', I just miss hearing her voice," she said.
"It's just so quiet. I would do anything to have her chatting to me. It's so lonely without her."
