Florida woman accused of setting stranger on fire at gas station, leaving horrific burns
Mysterious Gas‑Station Fireball Leaves Woman with Serious Burns in St. Petersburg
A 41‑year‑old woman was badly burned when a stranger allegedly set fire to her vehicle at a Mobil gas station in St. Petersburg on Thursday night. The suspect, also 41, was arrested a few blocks away and faces serious charges.
The Incident
Around 8 p.m. on Thursday, Christine Sherbuk was filling a Volvo SUV with gasoline when Eleanor Crawford approached the station. Police reports say Crawford lit the fuel, causing a “fireball” that engulfed the car. Sherbuk sustained second‑degree burns to her arms and back. She was rushed to the trauma center at Tampa General Hospital in serious condition but was later stabilized and is expected to survive.
Witness accounts and surveillance footage captured the moment Crawford ignited the gasoline. Sheriff’s office documents indicate that Sherbuk and Crawford were strangers and that no motive has been identified.
Immediate Response
Scotty Gramling, a nearby driver, heard the explosion and rushed to the scene. “I was parked close by when the fire started,” Gramling told Fox 13. “I saw the car burn up in a flash and immediately helped the woman into my truck and called 911.” He described the attack as a “fireball,” a term used by police to describe the sudden burst of flames.
Before the gas‑station attack, officers were already responding to a separate disturbance involving Crawford that night. Gramling had called the non‑emergency police line after seeing Crawford in a confrontation across the street. Police were on the scene when the gas‑station attack unfolded, according to the sheriff’s office.
Arrest and Charges
Within about 20 minutes of the incident, authorities located Crawford a few blocks from the station and arrested her. Court documents list her as the suspect in the incident. She is being held on a $350,000 bond and has been charged with attempted felony murder and two counts of arson. The judge has ordered her to wear a GPS monitor before she is released from jail.
Police say Crawford has a long criminal history that includes several drug‑ and alcohol‑related charges. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev told Fox 13 that investigators are still examining whether substance use played a role. “I don’t know if alcohol and drugs were involved, but given her history, there might have been something that diminished capacity,” Kovacsev said. “Why would she even do something like this?”
Victim’s Condition
Sherbuk’s injuries are severe, but medical staff have stabilized her. Tampa General Hospital is treating her burns and monitoring her condition closely. The hospital has not released further details about her long‑term prognosis.
Current Status
The case remains under investigation, with no public statements about a motive. Police have not ruled out any specific motivations and are continuing to gather evidence. The suspect’s record and the lack of a clear motive have led officials to label the incident as a “unique case,” according to Officer Kovacsev.
As the investigation proceeds, the community watches closely, hoping for answers to why a seemingly random attack occurred at a quiet gas station on a Thursday evening.