Grenfell Families Secure Halt To Demolition Works To Preserve Tower Handprints

Our clients, Karim Khalloufi and Zohra Rabbae, brother and mother of Khadija Khalloufi, who died in the fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, instructed Daniel Cooper, Partner at IKP, to challenge the decision not to preserve the soot handprints located between floors 12 and 14 of the tower stairwell. These handprints, it is believed to have been left during the night of the fire, hold profound evidential, historical, and emotional significance for bereaved families and survivors.

The Arabic inscription previously visible within the stairwell had already been destroyed during earlier works, prompting urgent action to prevent further irreversible loss.

IKP sent a Letter Before Claim to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, challenging the demolition.

The Government Legal Department confirmed late on Monday 2 March, that deconstruction works in the vicinity of the staircase half-landings on the 12th to 13th and 13th to 14th floors have been paused and the relevant areas sectioned off pending further response. This ensures that the remaining handprints are protected from further demolition works at this stage.

Media Coverage: https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/saving-grenfell-towers-wall-handprints-is-vital-as-a-lasting-memorial-to-the-victims