STRANGER ‘SETS WOMAN ON FIRE’ AT FLORIDA GAS STATION AFTER SHE REFUSED TO GIVE HER MONEY

A routine stop at a Florida gas station allegedly turned into a terrifying confrontation when a stranger accused of demanding money allegedly ignited a fuel nozzle, leaving a woman with serious burns.

A TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER AT THE PUMP

A Florida woman was allegedly set on fire at a gas station after refusing to give money to a stranger who had approached her, according to police.

The incident happened at a Mobil station in St. Petersburg on September 13, 2026, while the 41-year-old victim was filling up her Volvo.

Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Eleanor Crawford.

According to authorities, Crawford initially approached the woman and asked to borrow her phone. The woman handed it over.

But the encounter allegedly took a terrifying turn when the woman refused to give Crawford money.

Police say Crawford then used a lighter to ignite the fuel nozzle.

Within moments, a large fire erupted around the pump, engulfing the woman and her vehicle.

‘IT WAS A FIREBALL’

A nearby witness, Scotty Gamling, said he saw the blaze and immediately rushed toward the woman.

He helped the victim and contacted emergency services as the scene unfolded.

Gamling had reportedly noticed Crawford moments earlier during a dispute across the road, where a fight had broken out. He had already alerted police before the gas-station incident occurred.

Officers were reportedly on their way when the fire erupted.

The speed at which the flames spread turned what had begun as an ordinary stop for fuel into a life-threatening emergency.

VICTIM SUFFERS SERIOUS BURNS

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

Despite the severity of her injuries, authorities said she was stabilized and is expected to survive.

Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev described the case as highly unusual, particularly because of the extent of the woman’s injuries.

Investigators are now trying to determine exactly what led to the confrontation.

SUSPECT ARRESTED

Crawford was arrested approximately 20 minutes after the alleged incident, according to police.

Authorities said the two women were strangers and had no known personal history with one another.

Police also said Crawford has a history involving drug- and alcohol-related offenses.

However, investigators have not established that substances played a role in the alleged incident.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

SERIOUS CHARGES FOLLOW

Crawford now faces charges including attempted felony murder and arson in connection with the incident, according to authorities.

The charges are allegations, and Crawford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

For the victim, however, a simple trip to a gas station ended with a frightening ordeal — one she was fortunate to survive.

Investigators are continuing to piece together what happened in the moments before the fire and what may have prompted the alleged attack.

What began as a stranger asking for help allegedly escalated into a fire at a gas pump — leaving one woman hospitalized and a suspect facing serious criminal charges.