The dismantling of Grenfell Tower has begun eight years after the devastating fire.
It will take an estimated two years to bring down the remains of the skyscraper, where a deadly blaze broke out in 2017 claiming the lives of 72 people.
Preparations took place over the summer and work to remove a former plant room, which previously housed heating and a water tank, on top of the tower will start this week.
After this is completed in several weeks time, work to remove the building’s 24th floor – the top storey – will begin.
The floor-by-floor work is being carried out by Deconstruct UK (DUK), which has been involved in the maintenance of the site since 2017.
The Government has pledged that the dismantling will be carried out “with great care and sensitivity” and said the plan for careful deconstruction “is designed to minimise noise and disruption” in the area.
What is left of the building has stood in place in the eight years since the disaster, with a covering on the building featuring a large green heart accompanied by the words “forever in our hearts”.
The banner will remain on the building, being moved down as each floor is removed.
Confirmation earlier this year that the tower was to be taken down was met with criticism from some of the bereaved and survivors of the fire.
They expressed upset and shock, saying they felt they had not had their views considered before the decision was taken.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner later said she knew her meeting with those most closely affected was going to be “really difficult” and that there was “not a consensus” among everyone over what should happen to the tower.
Views have varied, with her department acknowledging there had been hopes for some of it to remain in place as a memorial to what happened while others had reported this would be “too painful”.
Some of the bereaved and survivors had hoped it would stay in place until a point where charges were brought against those they deem responsible for the fire.
Police and prosecutors have previously said investigators would need until the end of 2025 to complete their inquiry, with final decisions on potential criminal charges by the end of 2026.
The near 10-year wait for justice has been described by families as “unbearable”.
The Government confirmed in February that engineering advice is that the tower “is significantly damaged” and will get worse with time.
Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower, with recommendations including a “sacred space”, designed to be a “peaceful place for remembering and reflecting”.
It is expected a planning application for a memorial could be submitted in late 2026.
