Stranger Sets Woman On Fire At St. Petersburg Gas Station

Christine Sherbuk was filling up her Volvo SUV at a Mobil station in St. Petersburg on Thursday night when Eleanor Crawford walked right up and lit the gas with a lighter. Police say this stranger allegedly started a fireball that engulfed the victim, leaving her with second-degree burns to her arms and back. Sherbuk is now being treated at Tampa General Hospital where doctors stabilized her serious condition. She is expected to survive this horrific attack.

Scotty Gramling was parked nearby when he saw flames swallow the vehicle. He raced over to help Sherbuk as she burned, lifting her into his own truck while calling 911. Gramling told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that he had already called the police non-emergency line moments before because he spotted Crawford involved in an altercation across the street. It seemed someone tried to pull her from traffic right before a fight broke out. Officers were en route to that disturbance when this new incident unfolded at the gas station.

Investigators found Crawford just a couple of blocks away within twenty minutes of the explosion. Multiple witnesses confirmed she ignited the gasoline and surveillance video captured the entire scene. Neither woman knew each other, so authorities have not yet identified a motive for this random attack. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev noted that while alcohol or drugs might have diminished her capacity given her history, it remains unclear if she was under the influence at the time. He called the case unique because such an act resulting in severe burns is rarely seen.

Crawford faces charges of attempted felony murder and two counts of arson. She holds a $350,000 bond while awaiting trial and must wear a GPS monitor ordered by a judge before any jail release can happen. Police say she has an extensive record including several past drug and alcohol related charges. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is handling the monitoring requirements for her detention status. This case remains under active investigation as officials seek full clarity on what drove this senseless violence.