Florida Woman Accused of Setting Stranger on Fire at Gas Pump After Cash Request, Police Say

A Florida woman was accused of setting a stranger on fire at a Mobil gas station in St Petersburg on Thursday after the victim refused a request for money, police said. Eleanor Crawford, 41, allegedly used a lighter to ignite gasoline while the 41-year-old woman was pumping petrol into her Volvo SUV.

Police said the encounter began when Crawford asked to borrow the woman's phone and then requested cash. After the woman declined, officers said Crawford ignited the gasoline, setting the vehicle ablaze and leaving the victim with second-degree burns before she was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Florida Woman Arrested Near Saint Petersburg Gas Station

Officers arrested Crawford a couple of blocks from the station shortly after the fire. Police initially said she faced two arson charges before later updating the charges to attempted felony murder and arson.

Police said the fire engulfed the Volvo SUV, while officers and firefighters responded to the scene.

A witness, Scotty Gramling, told FOX 13 Tampa Bay that he rushed to help the injured woman into his truck and called 911, describing the scene as a 'fireball'.

Gramling said he had contacted the police non-emergency line shortly before the fire after seeing Crawford involved in an altercation across the street. He said it appeared someone had been trying to pull her out of the roadway before a fight broke out.

That earlier encounter was already drawing a police response. By the time the gas station fire erupted, officers were on their way to the area, and Crawford was arrested a short distance from the station soon afterwards.

Gramling's intervention then shifted to the injured woman, whom he helped into his vehicle before making the emergency call.

Police said Crawford has an extensive record that includes several drug- and alcohol-related charges. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev said investigators did not know whether either drugs or alcohol played a role in the alleged incident and had not established a motive.

'I don't know if alcohol and drugs were involved, but indicative of her history, there might've been something that diminished capacity there,' Kovacsev said.

He also addressed the unusual circumstances and the seriousness of the victim's injuries. 'Why would she even do something like this? It's kind of a unique case because you don't see anything like this, especially something that results in such horrific burns.'

Kovacsev said police worked with firefighters to stabilise the victim and that she was expected to survive.

Florida Woman Attack Draws Response From Lieutenant Governor

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins responded publicly after the attack, saying the victim had been carrying out an ordinary task when she was injured.

'This happened in our community to a woman simply going about her life, and it is horrifying,' Collins said. 'People should be able to do something as ordinary as pumping gas without fearing for their safety.'

Collins said he was praying for the woman's recovery and thanked the Good Samaritan who helped her, along with the law enforcement officers and first responders who acted quickly.

'We will always stand behind the men and women who work every day to keep Floridians safe,' he said.

Police initially said Crawford faced two arson charges, but the St Petersburg Police Department later updated the charges to attempted felony murder and arson. The victim was stabilised after suffering second-degree burns and was expected to survive.

Police said the motive remained unclear. Crawford and the victim did not know each other before the incident, and the investigation remained ongoing.