IN the past 14 months, Enfield resident Ian Seiler has lost more than $550,000 to two fires.
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The latest incident occurred on Saturday night at around 9pm.
But the 55-year-old said it does not compare to losing his first wife and daughter in an accident 14 years ago, in which he barely managed to survive.
“Material things don’t matter,” Mr Seiler said.
“As long as no one was hurt.”
The fire, which the police are investigating, caused $250,000 damage to the home pottery business.
“I was in Sydney with my wife and two children, 10 and 8, making deliveries when we got the call,” Mr Seiler said.
“As soon as I heard, we got in the car and drove
through the night to get home.”
But by that time “extensive damage” had been done to the 10 x 20 metre shed in Briardale Avenue.
Firefighters and police were called after a neighbour saw the fire from her adjoining property.
Ian Seiler with Leading Senior Constable Bryan Vincent from Rokewood Police
Mr Seiler said although his wife and children were scared, he would not let the latest incident bring him down.
“I am not going to let anybody stop me,” he said.
“I will just get up and get stronger.
“We have had the experience before (of the fire) so we can do it again.”
However, Mr Seiler said getting the business back up again will be a strain.
“We were just getting into the black now since the January 30, 2011, fire,” he said.
“We will be operating again in two or three months but it will take us a while to get to where we were before.”
A Victoria police spokesperson said the fire has been deemed to be suspicious and a crime scene guard remained at the property overnight.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about the fire to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go online to