ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg Police said officers arrested a woman after she used a lighter to set another woman on fire.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mobil gas station located at 101 40th Ave. N., according to the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD).
Investigators said a 41-year-old woman was pumping gas into her Volvo SUV when Eleanor Crawford, 41, approached and deliberately ignited gasoline with a lighter.
Police said the victim's vehicle became engulfed in flames.
Ashley Limardo with the St. Petersburg Police Department said Crawford first approached the woman asking to use her cell phone.
"Crawford had approached our victim and asked to use her cell phone in which she allowed her to use her cell phone and she returned it. Upon returning the cell phone, she then asked for money in which the victim declined and when that happened, Crawford then turned around and set the pump on fire," said Limardo.
The victim suffered second-degree burns and was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries, according to SPPD.
Limardo said the fire spread to the vehicle directly behind the victim's SUV. Limardo said that individual was also pumping gas, but was not injured.
Officers quickly located and arrested Crawford a couple of blocks away from the gas station, police said.
"Within the 20 minutes or so, our officers were able to locate the suspect and arrest her and she was still found to have the lighter on her," said Limardo.
Tampa Bay 28 searched Crawford's criminal history in Pinellas County. Her most recent arrests include battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Crawford currently faces charges of arson and attempted felony murder.
SPPD said the suspect and victim did not know each other.
The investigation is ongoing.
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