AUBURN — One of the men accused of setting a fire that destroyed three downtown Lewiston buildings appeared in court on Thursday.

Timothy Guiggey, 28, of Auburn, pleaded not guilty to one charge each of arson and burglary during his arraignment in Androscoggin County Superior Court.

Police said Guiggey, Douglas Hersom, 26, of Lewiston, and a 17-year-old boy broke into a Lisbon Street building on Dec. 19 to steal copper. They said that the fire was set as a diversion after they thought they had set off an alarm.

The three buildings, as well as an adjoining building, had to be torn down.

Bail for Guiggey was set at $100,000 cash.