Queen Camilla sees Liverpool library 'rise from ashes' after devastating blaze

Queen Camilla travelled to Liverpool on Friday to see how a community library, left devastated by fire during the violent disorder of 2024, has been brought back to life.

The Queen visited the newly restored Spellow Community Hub and Library in Walton, where she was welcomed by local staff and schoolchildren from nearby St Francis De Sales Catholic Junior School and Arnot St Mary Primary School.

The building on County Road was badly damaged when it was set alight during unrest that broke out in the aftermath of the Southport dance class stabbings in the summer of 2024. 

But two years on, the library has reopened its doors and once again become a gathering place for the local community.

Camilla had previously donated a box of books when the library was being restocked ahead of its reopening, arrived with another collection to add to its shelves.

After unveiling a plaque, the Queen praised those who had helped restore the much-loved building.

“You can never have too many books,” she said. “I’ve brought some more and it’s so wonderful to see this place rise from the ashes.

“Congratulations to all of you who made it happen.

“It was such a terrible story and it’s had a happy ending.”

During her visit, Camilla joined library and information assistant Sean McEvoy as he read Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae to a group of children.

Mr McEvoy said the library's reopening had allowed the community to focus on what had been achieved rather than the destruction that had preceded it.

“We’ve moved past the point where we talk about it and how it made us feel and now we look at the community’s reaction and focus a lot more on the positives out of it.”

Camilla later joined pupils taking part in colouring and word-search activities before sitting in on a chess lesson. 

She also met Alex McCormick, who launched an online fundraiser with an initial target of just £500 to help repair and restock the library. The appeal eventually raised an extraordinary £250,000.