Yes, you have to wonder at the timing of these things. But even if there's nothing suspect, the media reaction and coverage will still do the job of stirring up fear and hate.

By comparison, here's the only two BBC articles I can find from the Indian restaurant petrol attack in August, both filed under England > Local News > London.

Five hurt in suspected arson attack at restaurant:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6ypd547j8o

Boy, 16, charged over Gants Hill restaurant fire:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kzy2jpd1lo

You wouldn't know from the headlines that the boy is charged with 6 counts of attempted murder, that one victim suffered 58 burns and another was left in a coma. There was certainly no BBC 'Live' page giving up to the minute accounts of it all.