London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Apr 06, 2026

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

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

A TikTok influencer whose house caught fire in 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."

London Fire Brigade received 16 calls to the suspected arson attack

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".

The Met Police confirmed they are treating the cause of the fire as suspected arson.

Mr Smith said whoever did this "may have not had any reaction at all and there might have been seven dead people".

He said: "For those 15 seconds of fun in your eyes, it could have taken away many years from my family."

Nobody was injured in the blaze

Mr Smith believes the incident was motivated by jealousy.

He added: "I love seeing people do well. We want to see other people prosper and do well and I know that there's some people in life that are struggling and they don't like it when other people are prospering or doing well."

He vowed this would not stop him from sharing videos with fans.

He said: "I just want to be with my family, and I want to be safe, and I want to protect them, and we need to step back, to readjust, reassess and find out what the best way to move forward is.

"At the end of the day, I'm not going to give up what's making us happy."


Nick Smith, whose house caught fire, said his family could have been killed


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Considers Deploying Aircraft Carrier for US Independence Day Celebrations Amid Renewed Transatlantic Focus
United Kingdom Moves to Attract AI Firm Anthropic Amid Tensions with US Defense Officials
RAF Intercepts Iranian Drones in Middle East to Defend Allied Security Interests
Labour Signals Shift on Foie Gras and Fur Restrictions to Advance EU Trade Talks
Seven Arrested Near RAF Base as UK Authorities Respond to Protest Activity
Economic Pressures Mount as Analysts Warn UK Growth Is Being Constrained by Policy Burdens
UK Green Party’s Push for Church-State Separation Sparks Debate Over National Identity
Strategic Island Emerges as Growing Challenge for United States and United Kingdom Defense Planning
Pepsi Pulls Sponsorship from UK Festival Following Backlash Linked to Kanye West
Signs Emerge of Declining Enthusiasm for Social Media in the United Kingdom
Security Alert Raised Ahead of Meghan Markle’s Planned Visit to Australia
UK Food Halls Defy Hospitality Slowdown, Emerging as Bright Spot in Challenging Market
UK Sets Firm Conditions for Military Action, Insisting on Legal Mandate and Clear Strategy
UK Medicines Regulator Launches Probe into Peptide Clinics Over Health Claims
New North Sea Drilling Unlikely to Significantly Cut UK Gas Imports, Analysis Finds
Woman Linked to UK’s First All-Female Terror Plot Faces Deportation
Downed US Aircraft Over Iran Linked to Operations from UK Airfield
Two Men and Teen Detained in UK Following Attack on Jewish Charity Ambulance
UK Police Launch Inquiry After Firearms Left Unattended Outside Mayor’s Residence
Giuffre Family Calls on King Charles to Meet Epstein Survivors During US Visit
Amber Wind Warning Issued as Storm Dave Approaches Parts of the United Kingdom
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
×