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TikTok’s The Smithy Family – Arsonists hunted by police over devastating fire that gutted ‘dream’ home

2021-07-21 00:00:00.0 太阳报-英国新闻原网页

POLICE are hunting the arsonists who set fire to the Smithy Family's dream home in a shocking attack.

The TikTok stars were left "devastated" after their semi-detached house in South London was destroyed by the blaze.

Police have appealed for information on the suspected arson attack at the Smithy Family home Credit: UkNewsinPictures 3

The family have been devastated after their home was destroyed in the blaze

Cops are investigating the cause of the fire - which is being treated as arson - after the house went up in flames on July 15 just after 10pm.

Detectives encouraged anyone with information to come forward as it is "vital" to piece together the attack in Welling.

It comes after the Smithy's shared CCTV footage of two hooded people approaching their Bexleyheath home and appearing to set fire to a Ford Mondeo on the drive.

No arrests have yet been made despite the incident being "well publicised" and one of the perpetrators seemingly setting his hand on fire in the process of the attack.

Although he is thankful his family made it out safely, dad Nick Smith has been crushed by the state of his charred home after forking out on renovations.

"IT IS VITAL WE HEAR FROM YOU"

The TikTok star told the BBC of his despair after spending four months "and all of our hard-worked money" creating his dream home.

"The house is not okay," he said in a video to his more than 2.5 million followers on the video-sharing app.

The 33-year-old had previously worked seven days a week bricklaying before he found social media success.

He had to grab his daughters Isabella, 9, Amelia, 6, and his newborn baby boy when Nick realised his car was on fire.

After it quickly spread to the home, more than 20 firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze until 12.30am.

The family's soaring popularity online led to trolling and their address being leaked - seeing unwanted takeaways and even escorts sent to their home.

Detective Sergeant Danny Banks, from the Serious and Complex Investigations Unit, said: "My team of officers have been working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this incident.

"I thank everyone who has already come forward to police to assist with the investigation. We are following up all lines of enquiry and all allegations made to us.

"Police remain in regular contact with the family and they are being kept up to date as to the progress of the investigation.

"My heartfelt sympathies go out to them during what has been an unimaginably difficult time. I thank them for their continued support as enquiries are ongoing.