Teenagers who were doused with gasoline and who were burned late Sunday probably did not incite the assault at as gas station in Lawrenceville, an investigator said Tuesday. Police have charged Thomas F. Risko, 46, of Morningside, in the attack. "It does not appear that the young men provoked the altercation" that escalated into the terrifying scenario at Sunoco A-Plus station on Butler Street, Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Maurita Bryant said yesterday. She said she has drawn her tentative conclusion from interviews with the assault victims and witnesses. Eric Hilliard, 18, of Morningside, suffered the most serious injuries of the three males who were burned when Risko dumped gasoline on them and ignited it with a lighter as they and two others sat in a black 1995 Ford Probe, police said. The car became engulfed in flames, and the five teens scrambled to flee the burning vehicle. Two of them rolled on the ground in efforts to put out flames. Bryant would not provide details about the specific circumstances that led to the assault on the five males, whom she said are all friends. She said she doesn't have any evidence that the teens knew Risko prior to the incident. Risko is lodged at Allegheny County Jail on $250,000 bond. His wife, Tina, yesterday sat on the front porch of his house on Jancey Street in Morningside. She declined to comment. Hilliard yesterday was undergoing treatment at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield for third-degree burns that cover 60 percent of his body. His condition yesterday was listed as critical, which usually means injuries are considered life-threatening, said hospital spokeswoman Caroline Fitzwilliam. Several of Hilliard's relatives sat outside the burn unit at West Penn yesterday, awaiting word from doctors on his condition. They declined to comment. Denise Hilliard, who was reached at home yesterday, said she is a relative of Hilliard by a former marriage. "I really hope he's doing better," she said. "He's such a young kid." She called Eric Hilliard a "nice boy from what I remember." She added, though: "That shouldn't have anything to do with it. This kind of thing shouldn't have happened." Two teens who also were burned have been treated and released. Because they are minors, police are not releasing their names. Two others escaped without injury. Risko has been charged with five counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and arson. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11. In May 2000, Risko pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and the painkiller Vicodan in Common Pleas Court, according to documents. He was placed on six months' probation. Police records indicate that residents near Risko's home on Jancey Street had complained about suspicious activity in the area, prompting the investigation that led to his 2000 arrest. Less than two hours after the assault Sunday night, Risko was arrested in Lawrenceville. Risko's neighbor, Derby Clerfe, 22, yesterday said Risko had been to his parents' home on Jancey several times. Risko did housework for Clerfe's parents. "He's a nice-enough guy. My parents don't have a problem with him," Clerfe said, although adding that Risko occasionally had complained, while working, about stress in his life. Clerfe said Risko attended a party at his parents' house Saturday night and that Risko "had a couple of drinks and left." Clerfe said he is shocked by the news of the assault. "I don't know what would drive him to do something like that," Clerfe said.

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