After Losing Everything in a Fire, a New Hampshire Musician Finds Hope

 By June Mittelmark, Red Cross writer

“Hey, you, don’t tell me there’s no hope at all. Together we stand, divided we fall.” 

So goes the lyrics to “Hey You” by Pink Floyd from their 1979 double album, The Wall.  Those words also are sung by Echoes of Floyd, a New Hampshire based cover band that had one of its members, Geoffrey Williams, experiencing that feeling of hope after the home he shares with his partner, Melanie Barthel, and her son, Dante, went up in flames this May in the small town of Nelson, New Hampshire.

On that fateful day, Dante, home from school, was upstairs when he heard a loud bang. Running downstairs to see what was happening, he saw smoke in the kitchen area and quickly called 911. Geoffrey was on his way to a gig and Melanie, who fills many behind-the-scenes roles with the band, was out as well. Dante was able to get out of the house with the family’s two dogs, though one needed surgery after suffering burns. 

The fire spread quickly and their home was declared a total loss. Everything Geoffrey and his family had was gone. They currently live with his parents as they begin their road to recovery.

“We lost it all,” Geoffrey said. “Melanie, who is an artist, lost all of her paintings and handmade jewelry. As for me, I lost at least 12 guitars, audio and video recordings that are of course, irreplaceable, all of my music equipment, vinyl, books, you name it. All I had left was the guitars and equipment in my car at the time, as I was on my way to a gig.”

Geoffrey noted that the day of the fire, the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team was there to provide immediate help for his family. 

“They sat with us and listened to our needs,” he said. “The Red Cross gave us some financial aid for immediate necessities, personal care items, and information for rental assistance, vet expenses, and telehealth, if needed.” 

After a home fire, families face many unknowns. The Red Cross focuses on comfort and care. Disaster action teams work to ensure the survivors’ immediate needs are met. This includes: access to safe shelter, food, emergency relief supplies, health services, emotional support and recovery planning. Red Cross assistance is always free.

"I had no idea these services were available. It's been a huge help in a challenging time,” Geoffrey said.

Geoffrey, a lifelong Nelson resident, noted that the community and his music community have also provided love, support and assistance as he and his family work to find their way in this new chapter of their lives. 

“The future is uncertain and what happened to our home was devastating, but we are hoping to rebuild on the same site, and we will get through this. No one was injured and that is the most important thing,” he said.

For Geoffrey and Melanie, music is a big part of their healing. The band continues to perform and their looking forward to a big show coming up at the Bank of NH Stage at the Capital Center for the Arts in October. 

For Geoffrey, Melanie, Dante and other home fire survivors, the Red Cross can be that beacon of hope during dark times. Home fires are the most frequent disaster in the U.S., claiming seven lives every day. So far this year, trained Red Cross volunteers have responded to at least 109 home fire across New Hampshire and have assisted more than 450 Granite Staters. 

If you’ve experienced a recent home fire and need help, call 1-800-RED CROSS. If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross disaster action team volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteerNNE.