SHE REFUSED TO GIVE A STRANGER MONEY — THEN A TERRIFYING FIREBALL ERUPTED AT THE GAS PUMP

A routine stop at a Florida gas station turned into a terrifying ordeal after police say a stranger allegedly ignited a fuel nozzle while another woman was filling her car.

A Florida woman was left with second-degree burns after a terrifying encounter with a stranger at a gas station allegedly turned into a massive blaze.

The incident happened in St. Petersburg, Florida, where a 41-year-old woman had stopped to fill up her Volvo.

According to police, she was approached by another woman, identified as Eleanor Crawford, 41.

What began as a seemingly ordinary interaction quickly took a horrifying turn.

SHE ASKED TO BORROW HER PHONE

Police say Crawford initially approached the woman and asked if she could borrow her phone.

The woman handed it to her.

But according to investigators, Crawford then asked her for money.

When the woman refused, police allege that Crawford pulled out a lighter and ignited the gas nozzle.

Within moments, a huge fire erupted around the pump.

The woman and her vehicle were suddenly caught in the flames.

A witness described the scene as a “fireball.”

A BYSTANDER RUSHED TO HELP

Witness Scotty Gamling was nearby when he saw what was happening.

He rushed toward the burning woman and helped her while emergency services were contacted.

Gamling had already alerted police about Crawford shortly before the gas-station incident after reportedly seeing her involved in a dispute and fight across the road.

Officers were already responding when the fire erupted.

Crawford was arrested roughly 20 minutes after the alleged attack, according to police.

THE TWO WOMEN DIDN’T KNOW EACH OTHER

Investigators determined that Crawford and the victim were complete strangers and had no known personal history together.

That detail has left investigators trying to understand what triggered the alleged attack.

Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev said Crawford has a history involving drug- and alcohol-related offenses.

He also questioned whether substance use may have played a role, although authorities have not established that as a fact.

THE VICTIM IS EXPECTED TO SURVIVE

The victim was transported to Tampa General Hospital after suffering second-degree burns to her arms and back.

Despite the terrifying circumstances, doctors expect her to survive.

Police described the case as highly unusual because of the severity of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the fire.

For the woman, what should have been an ordinary stop to refuel her car suddenly became a fight for survival.

A STRANGER, A LIGHTER — AND A MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Authorities say there was no previous relationship between the two women.

One moment, the victim was simply filling her vehicle.

The next, police allege, a stranger had ignited the fuel nozzle and created a dangerous blaze around her.

Crawford now faces attempted felony murder and arson charges as the investigation continues.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Crawford is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

For investigators, one major question remains:

Why did a chance encounter between two strangers allegedly turn into such a terrifying scene at a gas pump?