‘We lost completely everything': PEI Music teacher loses home and livelihood to fire
A Prince Edward Island couple is rebuilding their lives after losing nearly everything in a devastating house fire — including a lifetime's worth of musical instruments.
Marc DesRoches is a private music teacher, second oboe with the PEI Symphony Orchestra, and the creator behind Brass Glow Co., a business that turns broken instruments into beautiful home décor.
Last week his entire home and studio went up in flames.
'We lost the entire thing,' DesRoches said in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. 'We lost completely everything. It's burned straight to the ground.'
Marc DesRoches' living room
Pictured is Marc DesRoches' living room after the house fire. (Source: Marc DesRoches)
Among the losses were multiple oboes, an English horn and three pianos. His partner Glen Gamble an avid plant enthusiast, also lost more than 100 meticulously cared-for houseplants.
Perhaps most painful is the uncertainty surrounding their cat Tchai, who has been missing since the fire.
'Probably the biggest potential loss is my cat,' DesRoches said. 'We're still continuing the search for her.'
The day after the fire, the couple launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $10,000. Within days, donations poured in — surpassing $28,000 as of this week.
'The response has been incredible,' DesRoches said. 'I can't even put into words how much it means to us.'
The money will help DesRoches replace his instruments so he can return to teaching and hopefully rejoin the orchestra this summer.
'In the meantime, I'm not picky,' said DesRoches. 'If I can find an instrument to borrow, I'm happy as a clam.'
He says while much remains uncertain, he's staying hopeful — and grateful.
'We're feeling very, very blessed.'
Gamble echoed that sentiment, expressing deep appreciation for the outpouring of support from friends, strangers, and fellow Islanders.
'It's humbled me in so many ways that I didn't even think were possible,' said Gamble. 'I can't be any more thankful.'
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