Amid a wave of community support, a library in Liverpool is rebuilding after being set on fire during a series of racist riots that swept across England last week.

The Spellow Library, located in the Walton area of Liverpool, had only reopened last year following a significant refurbishment. However, last Saturday, a mob attacked, setting the building ablaze and looting it.

Now, much of the library, which also served as a community center, is left charred, with burnt wires and light fixtures dangling from the ceiling.

"I was absolutely sick to my stomach," said library manager Debbie Moore, recalling her initial reaction to the fire.

However, her shock quickly turned into determination to restore the library as soon as possible.

"We're going to fight back now. We're going to bring our services back and make sure that the community doesn't suffer for this impact," Moore said.

The riots in the Liverpool area followed the tragic killing of three young girls on July 29 during an attack at a children's dance class in Southport, about 15 miles (25 km) north of the city. False rumors spread on social media, wrongly identifying the suspect as an Islamist migrant, which led to violent protests in Southport and eventually across England, targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities.

In response, thousands of Liverpool residents have marched in recent days, demonstrating solidarity in a city known for its strong community bonds.

In the spirit of that solidarity, Alex McCormick, a 27-year-old Liverpool resident, launched a GoFundMe campaign with a modest goal of raising £500 ($640) to help the library purchase new books. By Friday, the fundraiser had garnered an astonishing £296,000 ($378,000) in donations.

Library manager Moore expressed hope that those responsible for the fire will witness the library's resurgence. Photo by Rept0n1x, Wikimedia commons.