Former IPL cricketer Paul Valthaty loses sister and nephew in Kandivli building fire

In a tragic turn of events, former Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketer Paul Valthaty lost his sister and nephew in a fire that broke out in a nine-storey building in Kandivli on Monday, October 23.

Valthaty was downstairs during the incident, evacuating other people who were also trapped in the same building.

Valthaty's sister Glory Roberts and nephew, Joshua, were UK residents. They came to India as Glory wanted to meet her ailing mother. Her husband Noel was also in the building at the time the horrific fire broke out. He reportedly told his wife and son to make their way out of the house along with the maids.

The Roberts lived on the fourth floor in flat numbers 420 and 421. Valthaty was on the premises at the time of the incident. The fire originated from the kitchen of flat number 121.

As per reports, Glory, Joshua, and the maids reached the first floor but couldn't go beyond due to the raging fire and heat. They tried to reach the terrace but couldn't get there. The maids are in critical condition. Glory was 43 years old, while Joshua was just eight. They were declared 'brought dead at the hospital'.

The injured people in the incident were identified as Lakshmi Bura (40), Rajeshwari Bhartare (24), who suffered 100 burn injuries, and Ranjan Subodh Shah (76).

Paul Valthaty shot to fame during the 2011 edition of the IPL. He scored a brilliant 120 against Chennai Super Kings, in a season that yielded him 463 runs. Apart from the 120-run innings against CSK, Valthaty also picked up a four-for against the Deccan Chargers with his medium-pace bowling. Several physical setbacks, including a devastating eye injury, dented his progress, and he eventually finished with 23 IPL games in his kitty.

Earlier this year, Valthaty announced his retirement from first-class cricket. The 39-year-old played five first-class games, four List-A games, and 34 T20s in his career.