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Moment TikTok's The Smithy family's car set on fire in Welling caught on camera
10:06, 16 July 2021
updated: 14:25, 16 July 2021
Footage of the moment a car fire was started has been released.
The blaze spread to the home of The Smithy family, who found fame on TikTok, and left it severely damaged.
Watch the moment the fire starts outside the Welling home
The incident happened in Welling and is being treated as an arson attack by police. The footage shows two people go to the car parked on the drive.
One then seems to unlock the back door with a piece of metal put into the window.
He then goes back to the pavement and the second heads to the car. He opens the door and puts something in it and the blaze soon begins.
As he runs away it appears his hand has caught fire too.
The homeowner Nick Smith shared the devastating news on the family's TikTok page.
He said: "We all got out the house Ok, the kids are fine... the dogs are Ok. The house is not OK. The kids are at a safe place.
"To the people who have done this, you could have killed our family and not only our family, my neighbours, my friends. It's unforgivable."
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to the blaze shortly before 11pm on Wednesday night.
Crews worked to limit damage inside but the soffits and guttering of the semi-detached home were destroyed and part of the front and hallway were also damaged. There were no reports of any injuries.
Sub Officer Tim Sammons said: “We were called to reports of a car alight that had spread up the outside of the house.
“There were a number of mobility scooters parked outside which had caught alight and were producing a large amount of smoke and flames.
“Everyone was out of the building before we arrived and crews worked incredibly hard to prevent further damage to the inside of the property and to neighbouring properties.
“Our fire investigation dogs also attended to help identify any ignitable substances present.”
The fire was officially declared under control by 12.30am.
Meanwhile, dad-of-three Nick, who left his job as a builder following the family's meteoric rise to fame on TikTok, shared further updates at the scene.
In an emotional post taken inside the property he shared views of the smoke damage in his daughter's bedroom.
He added: "I don't think you realise the consequences of what you've done."
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Brigade and the Met Police.
