Police investigate fire at laser removalist Truskin Clinic in Geelong West

The recently closed laser clinic of a self proclaimed recovering drug addict who used social media to out “dealers” has been damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Trudi Wilson is the founder of Truskin Clinic, which was badly damaged in a suspicious fire on June 4. Picture: Instagram

The former laser clinic of a self proclaimed recovering drug addict who used her social media accounts to out “dealers” has been damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Trudi Wilson shut her business Truskin Clinic on Pakington St just a month before the alleged attack on Wednesday night, allegedly leaving hundreds of customers out of pocket.

Smoke was seen coming out of the beauty salon around 11.30pm on June 4 and the fire was brought under control by Fire Rescue Victoria crews in 10 minutes.

A police spokeswoman said no one was hurt by the blaze but that it did cause “significant damage to the business”.

An employee from a neighbouring business said their CCTV footage suggested the assailant used a petrol can to set the store alight.

The building exterior was visibly charred and the glass front door entrance was smashed.

A suspicious fire destroyed the interior of Truskin Clinic on Pakington St. Picture: Alison Wynd

In April, Ms Wilson took to Facebook to accuse a number of Geelong residents of being prominent drug dealers; she has since deleted the posts.

Three weeks later, Ms Wilson abruptly announced on her website that she was shutting the doors indefinitely to address her “mental health”.

Clients who had paid in advance for discounted laser removal packages were not able to complete their treatment.

In a statement, Ms Wilson told customers that fellow Pakington St trader Aesthetic Skin Clinic would honour existing bookings.

Ms Wilson is the founder of Truskin Clinic, which was badly damaged in a suspicious fire on June 4. Picture: Instagram

Aesthetic Skin Clinic founder Maddison Temelkovski said she had agreed to take on Truskin Clinic clients but was blindsided by the public announcement.

“Before I could even get anything organised with my team and figure out an action plan, she posted saying that we were doing that … so we had this influx of clients not knowing what was going on,” she said.

“We weren’t financially compensated for the clients, we have just honoured all of the prepaid treatments and sessions that they’ve obviously lost from her shutting up shop.”

While patrons were offered complimentary sessions and gift packages, they did not receive the full service they had paid for.

Forensic police on Pakington St this afternoon. Picture: Ryan Bourke

The two businesses had not shared any affiliation or relationship before this interaction, Ms Temelkovski said.

“We hadn’t spoken about anything beforehand; I’ve never met her.”

Ms Wilson said the decision to close her business, which had a perfect five star Google rating from 186 reviews, had brought her to tears.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do for a very long time but with such a tremendous amount of regret and sadness I’ve decided its time to close the clinic,” she said.

“I am so incredibly proud of the business I built from the ground up, to have built such a space of acceptance and to be trusted with your treatment journey has been such an honour that I feel very privileged to of been apart of.”

Ms Wilson did not respond when contacted for comment.

Originally published as Police investigate fire at laser removalist Truskin Clinic in Geelong West