The Smithy Family: Police investigate TikTok influencer's house fire

A TikTok influencer whose house caught fire in slot xo a suspected arson attack has said his family could have been killed.

About 25 firefighters spent 90 minutes tackling a fire started by a car alight at Nick Smith's home in Welling, south-east London, on Wednesday night.

Mr Smith says he is "devastated" and fortunate his wife and three children, aged six, eight and six weeks, escaped the blaze without injury.

The cause of the suspected arson is being investigated, police have said.

Mr Smith, whose The Smithy Family account has more than 2.5m followers on video sharing site TikTok, describes himself as "a guy with ADHD who wants people to do well, spreads positivity and joy, and is a bit of an idiot with my family".

The 33-year-old says he used to work seven days a week bricklaying but that has changed since social media stardom.

He added: "Doing social media means I'm there for my kids and I'm enjoying their time and company and it's been wonderful and joyous. But it's also been devastating and and damaging.

"We've come to the realisation that in the world of social media you're better off hidden."

The London Fire Brigade said crews attended reports of a car alight and fire investigation dogs were used to "help identify any ignitable substances present".