Five-year-old Vishnu Puri flashed a wide grin as Mayor Kishori Pednekar shook his hand at Kasturba Hospital on Saturday. After spending nearly two-and-a-half months at the civic-run facility following a cylinder blast that ravaged his home and wiped out his family, the boy is expected to be discharged today. The mayor has promised financial help for the child.

Vishnu, his father Anand Puri, mother Vidya and five-month-old brother Mangesh were sleeping in their home at BDD Chawl No. 3 when the mishap occurred at 6 am on November 30. The blast also triggered a fire. The injured were first taken to BYL Nair Hospital. The infant died the same day, while Anand succumbed to burns and injuries on December 1. Vishnu and Vidya were shifted to Kasturba, but the mother, who had sustained 50 to 60 per cent burns, could not be saved. She died five days later.