From New York Post · · 1m 20s
A stranger asked for money, then lit the gas pump
A routine fill-up in St. Petersburg turned into a fireball after one refusal, and a bystander with a truck made the difference.
In brief
A routine fill-up in St. Petersburg turned into a fireball after one refusal, and a bystander with a truck made the difference. Police say the two women were complete strangers, which is what makes this attack so hard to explain and so hard to guard against. Originally reported by New York Post.
A normal fill-up
A 41-year-old woman was pumping gas into her Volvo at a Mobil station on 40th Avenue North in St. Petersburg on Thursday night.
First the phone
Eleanor Crawford, also 41, walked up and asked to borrow her phone. The woman handed it over without hesitation.
Then the refusal
Crawford asked for money next. When the woman said no, police say Crawford pulled a lighter and set the fuel nozzle on fire.
“Flames erupted around the woman and her vehicle within moments.”
A bystander ran in
Scotty Gamling saw the flames, pulled the burning woman into his truck and called 911. He had already phoned police about Crawford minutes earlier over a disturbance across the street.
“a fireball”
Caught in 20 minutes
Officers were already heading to the area when the fire started and found Crawford nearby. Investigators say the two women had never met.
“Why would she even do something like this?”
Burns, and charges
The victim has second-degree burns on her arms and back and is expected to survive after treatment at Tampa General. Crawford faces attempted felony murder and arson charges.
“Luckily they were able to get her stabilized, and she's going to make it.”
The headline
Police say the two women were complete strangers, which is what makes this attack so hard to explain and so hard to guard against.
