Woman set on fire by stranger at St. Pete gas station hospitalized for burns: SPPD

Police say a woman was pumping gas into her car when a stranger came up to her and deliberately ignited gasoline with a lighter in St. Petersburg on Thursday, sending her to the hospital with second-degree burns.

admin September 11, 2026 2 minutes read

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Courtesy: St. Petersburg Police Department

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Police say a woman was pumping gas into her car when a stranger came up to her and deliberately ignited gasoline with a lighter in St. Petersburg on Thursday, sending her to the hospital with second-degree burns.

St. Petersburg gas station arson attack

What we know:

A 41-year-old woman was pumping fuel into her Volvo SUV around 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mobil Gas Station located at 101 40th Avenue North, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Police said 41-year-old Eleanor Crawford walked up to the victim and intentionally set the gasoline on fire using a lighter.

SPPD stated the woman’s car was engulfed in flames and she was seriously injured. Police said the victim suffered second-degree burns and was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Police arrest suspect near scene

What’s next:

Officers responded to the scene and arrested Crawford a few blocks away. Crawford is currently facing two charges of arson.

Unprovoked attack under police investigation

What we don’t know:

Investigators confirmed that the suspect and the victim had no prior relationship. Police have not determined a motive for the attack as the investigation continues.