[Dr. Eckleburg]

my guess is that there were a couple of "investors" who were way, way underwater on their seven-figure mortgages.

That's absurd. There are a lot easier ways to get out from underneath debt than torching a third of the state.

[SouthTexas]

May be, but I don’t think it’s something that should be ignored. Arson for profit is not a new concept.

[FreedomCalls]

That's absurd. There are a lot easier ways to get out from underneath debt than torching a third of the state.

Maybe they didn't torch a third of the state, but took advantage of the already widespread fire situation to add a small area to it that would include their unoccupied investment property that has been on the market for a while now and will not sell. There doesn't have to be a widespread conspiracy to think someone might take advantage of the chaos around them to improve their situation a little bit.

[Notary Sojac]

Well, if half my neighborhood was on fire and I needed to get out of my bad housing deal, this would be the moment of all moments to give it a try.