I'm not so sure about the insurance angle, as the homes weren't all built by the same builders. I guess it could be possible if one was having money problems and arranged the multiple fires to cover their tracks.

It also seems ironic that the fires took place on the first day the jury began deliberation in the Briana Waters case in Tacoma. She is on trial for helping set the fires at the UW a few years ago with fellow ELF members.