A Florida woman is accused of deliberately igniting gasoline at a St. Petersburg gas station, causing a stranger to suffer second-degree burns. Police say the victim, identified in court records as Christine Sherbuk, was fueling her SUV when the alleged attack occurred Thursday night. Eleanor Crawford, 41, faces attempted felony murder and two arson charges and is being held on $350,000 bond. The victim was hospitalized in serious condition but was stabilized and is expected to survive.
Investigators say witnesses saw Crawford approach Sherbuk and use a lighter to ignite fuel near the vehicle at about 8 p.m. The incident was also captured on video, according to an arrest affidavit. Police detained Crawford a few blocks away within about 20 minutes.
The attack prompted an emergency response involving bystanders, police and fire personnel. Authorities have not announced a motive or said whether Crawford was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.
| 1) | Alleged attack at a St. Petersburg gas station |
| 2) | Victim suffers second-degree burns |
| 3) | Bystander helps during the emergency |
| 4) | Police arrest suspect and investigate motive |
| 5) | Charges, bond and court restrictions |
Alleged attack at a St. Petersburg gas station
The alleged attack occurred Thursday night at a Mobil gas station in St. Petersburg, Florida. Police say Sherbuk was pumping fuel into her Volvo SUV when Crawford, whom investigators say she did not know, approached her. At approximately 8 p.m., Crawford allegedly ignited gasoline with a lighter, setting the vehicle and surrounding fuel ablaze. Authorities have described the incident as an apparently random act, although a motive has not been established.
The arrest affidavit states that multiple witnesses observed Crawford ignite the gasoline. Investigators also said surveillance or other video captured the incident, which is expected to form part of the evidence in the criminal case.
Victim suffers second-degree burns
Sherbuk suffered second-degree burns to her arms and back after the fire spread around the SUV. She was taken to the trauma center at Tampa General Hospital in serious condition. Medical personnel stabilized her, and police said she is expected to survive.
The injuries led authorities to pursue an attempted felony murder charge in addition to arson counts. Officials have not provided a more detailed public account of the victim’s recovery or stated whether the vehicle sustained additional damage beyond the fire described by witnesses.
Bystander helps during the emergency
Scotty Gramling, who was parked nearby, said he rushed to help when the flames erupted. He helped move Sherbuk into his truck and called 911. Gramling described the scene as a “fireball” as the woman and vehicle were engulfed.
Before the gas station fire, Gramling said he had contacted a police non-emergency line after seeing Crawford involved in an apparent disturbance across the street. He reported that someone appeared to be trying to remove her from the roadway before a fight developed. Officers were already responding to that disturbance when the alleged attack occurred, according to the reported account.
Police arrest suspect and investigate motive
Officers located Crawford a couple of blocks from the station within about 20 minutes, police said. She was arrested shortly after the fire and remains the central suspect in the case. The investigation is continuing, with authorities reviewing witness accounts and video evidence.
Police have not identified a connection between Crawford and Sherbuk. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev said investigators had not determined why the incident occurred. He also said authorities had not established whether alcohol or drugs played a role. Police noted that Crawford has an extensive record involving several drug- and alcohol-related charges, but no conclusion has been announced about her condition during this incident.
“I don’t know if alcohol and drugs were involved, but indicative of her history, there might’ve been something that diminished capacity there,” Kovacsev said.
Charges, bond and court restrictions
Eleanor Crawford has been charged with attempted felony murder and two counts of arson. She is being held on $350,000 bond while awaiting trial. Court records show that a judge ordered her to wear a GPS monitor administered by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office before any release from custody.
The charges are allegations, and Crawford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors may present additional evidence as the proceedings continue.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A woman was allegedly burned while fueling her SUV at a St. Petersburg gas station. |
| 2 | The victim suffered second-degree burns but is expected to survive. |
| 3 | Police arrested Eleanor Crawford nearby within about 20 minutes. |
| 4 | Crawford faces attempted felony murder and two arson charges. |
Summary
The St. Petersburg case centers on an alleged stranger attack that turned a routine refueling stop into a serious fire emergency. Witnesses, video and the rapid response of a nearby bystander helped police identify and arrest the suspect. The victim survived, while investigators continue to examine the circumstances and motive as the criminal case moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the gas station?
Police say Eleanor Crawford allegedly ignited gasoline while Christine Sherbuk was fueling her SUV at a St. Petersburg Mobil station, causing a fire that injured Sherbuk.
What injuries did the victim suffer?
Sherbuk suffered second-degree burns to her arms and back. She was hospitalized in serious condition, stabilized and is expected to survive.
What charges does Crawford face?
Crawford faces attempted felony murder and two counts of arson. She is being held on $350,000 bond and was ordered to use a GPS monitor before release.
