St. Petersburg Police arrest Eleanor Crawford for arson and attempted felony murder after gas pump fire

A local resident sustained serious second-degree burns requiring hospitalization, and two vehicles sustained fire damage during an unprovoked attack at a public gas station.

• •Eleanor Crawford, 41, was arrested by St. Petersburg police following a gas station fire.
• •The incident occurred around 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mobil gas station located at 101 40th Ave. N.
• •Crawford allegedly asked a 41-year-old woman to use her cell phone, asked for money after the phone was returned, and then ignited the gas pump with a lighter when the victim declined.
• •The victim suffered second-degree burns and was transported to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries.
• •The fire engulfed the victim's Volvo SUV and spread to a second vehicle directly behind it, though the second driver was uninjured.
• •Officers located and arrested Crawford a couple of blocks away within 20 minutes of the incident, still in possession of the lighter.
• •Crawford faces charges of arson and attempted felony murder.
• •Police stated that the suspect and the victim did not know each other.
• •Crawford's prior criminal history in Pinellas County includes arrests for battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.