Sounds like something with your fuel pump. Sounds like the fuel drained back down the line and after the initial crank, the bowl source was used up. Also just got to ask, did you have your choke pulled out when cranking ? If your fuel pump has a handle on it, then use that to prime the top bowl, that may help. Also disconnect the pump outlet and run that hose to carb into a gas can, then crank and see. If it runs, after a few cranks, then its your pump, if not, then carb. Another left field issue may be someone was fiddling and turned the fuel shut off valve closed, that's right before the pump.