# 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.
- Title: A stranger asked for money, then lit the gas pump | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: crime, florida, arson, police, assault, news, entertainment, stranger, asked, money, lit, gas
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/12/us-news/florida-woman-set-on-fire-at-gas-station-after-refusing-to-give-stranger-money-police-say
- Published: 2026-09-12T16:23:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: crime, florida, arson, police, assault, news, entertainment
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Police say the two women were complete strangers, which is what makes this attack so hard to explain and so hard to guard against.