Scottish mum and son die after fire erupts in Mumbai flat
By News Desk
A Scottish mother and son have died after a fire erupted in a Mumbai flat where they were staying.
Glory Valthaty, 42, and her eight-year-old son Joshua were reportedly visiting their relatives in India when the incident occurred.
Valthaty, who was a doctor and businesswoman, was accompanied by her husband as well as their daughter and son on the trip.
An official from the Mumbai Fire Brigade told The Indian Express that the fire originated on the first floor of the building. According to reports, seven people lost their lives, over 40 individuals suffered injuries, and 30 residents were successfully rescued.
The official said: “Heavy smoke caused by the fire reached the sixth floor as furniture and other items of the first-floor flat started burning.
“The flame soon spread to upper floors, trapping residents.”
Earlier this month, another tragic incident in the city made headlines after a fire engulfed a seven-story building in Goregaon.
There has been widespread questioning regarding the root causes of these fires and whether the public should be concerned.
The recent incident, which resulted in the loss of two Scottish nationals has been confined to electrical wiring and installations. Nevertheless, the precise origin of the fire remains unknown.
Dr Valthaty held the position of commercial director at a company named Faith Project Consultants Ltd, registered in Broughty Ferry and co-owned by her husband, Noel Roberts.
The flat in which the family were staying at is believed to be owned by Dr Valthaty’s brother and former IPL cricketer Paul Valthaty.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of two British nationals who have died in Mumbai.”
Joshua attended Kaimhill School in Aberdeen, and his headteacher, Susie Webster, conveyed that he was a valued member of his class.
She said in a statement: “It is with deepest sadness that Kaimhill School and wider community have received the shocking news of the death of Joshua and his mum, Glory.
“Joshua joined us at Kaimhill Nursery in September 2020, quickly becoming a much-loved member of his class, and well-liked across the school by all staff and pupils.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”
“We also think about Joshua’s classmates as they return to school on Monday and assure our wider community of ongoing support.”
Valthaty is believed to have worked as an anaesthetist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and was a member of the Holburn Gospel Hall in Aberdeen along with her husband.
Before moving to Scotland, she was working at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra as a doctor.
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