A young woman deeply affected by the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire has initiated a significant legal action that could lead to compensations for distressed victims.
Johara Menacer, who was 13 at the time of the devastating fire in 2017 that claimed the lives of 72 individuals and devastated a community, is now 21 and has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the Kensington and Chelsea council, along with various companies. Court records obtained by the Mirror reveal that her High Court claim includes the council Tenant Management Organisation, architects, cladding firm Arconic, Whirlpool, the Home Office, and the London Fire Commissioner.
Following the fire, Johara, alongside another survivor Yousra Cherbika, released a tribute song titled “Fire In Grenfell” in memory of the victims. She also dedicated her time to supporting Young Grenfell, a group that used art, conversation, and writing to cope with the loss of friends.
Reflecting on the tragedy and its aftermath, Johara expressed how she internalized her emotions for a long time, always prioritizing her mother’s well-being but neglecting her own. She avoided discussing the trauma, believing it was for the best. Living in close proximity to the tower, Johara is believed to have lost friends in the fire.
Despite the challenges, Johara continued to attend Kensington Aldridge Academy School, which suffered damage in the fire, forcing students to study in temporary facilities. The ongoing reminder of the fire made it difficult for her, especially during exam periods when concentration was a struggle.
In the aftermath of the fire, statistics revealed that in North Kensington, 10,000 individuals underwent trauma screenings, with 2,000 receiving treatment, including 744 children grappling with overwhelming grief.
In a significant legal development, a High Court judge in 2022 found the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation liable for the fatalities in the fire. Subsequently, in the following year, a groundbreaking civil settlement was reached with 900 claimants, comprising bereaved families, survivors, and residents, in agreement with the Tenant Management Organisation.