The dark humor in a previous post notwithstanding, it isn't my purpose to be running a conspiracy theory site here. However, I don't think that questioning the timing is quite the same thing, and I find the timing of a recent series of suspicious Detroit fires at least as suspicious as the fires themselves. The fires -- mostly still unsolved -- occurred on Tuesday evening:

About 85 fires ravaged city neighborhoods in a four-hour period Tuesday. Fire Commissioner James Mack said eight of the fires were related to downed power lines and two were attributed to arson, but investigations continue on most of the undetermined blazes.

A citizens group is calling for an investigation into the cause of the fires and plans to have a news conference on the issue at 11 a.m. today on Robinwood, a street where more than a dozen homes burned.

During a press conference in his office Wednesday, Mayor Dave Bing defended the city's response to the 10 fires, which spread to 85 structures throughout the city, calling it the result of a "natural disaster." He was referring to the wind gusts of up to 50 mph and arid conditions Tuesday night. Downed power lines also contributed, he said.

Of the 66 Detroit Fire Department companies, eight were idle Tuesday because of budgetary constraints -- but Bing insisted that the reduced number of active companies did not play a role in the spread of the fires, eight of which were blamed on 62 downed power lines, with two others the result of suspected arsons. Illegal hookups to utility lines also may have contributed.

Of the city's 66 fire companies, eight were shut down Tuesday because of budget cuts, according to news reports. And that happens regularly.

[...]

What will it take for the mayor and City Council to recognize a crisis? It is as if those elected to care aren't taking this seriously. Ten fires? 85 structures? Business as usual?

Bishop Edgar Vann, pastor of Second Ebenezer Church, dismissed the idea that this was a "natural disaster."

"It was Devil's Night all over again," Vann said.

In Detroit, there seems to be quite a hurry to call these fires a natural disaster, while calling for more money for firefighters.

I hope these fires are going to be thoroughly investigated, but If the Fire Department's investigations are as thorough as their firefighting, I'm skeptical.