LINCOLN – The fire that destroyed two Main Street buildings and wiped out six businesses Sunday was set intentionally, according to a state fire official.

Wednesday’s ruling on the cause of one of the worst fires to hit Lincoln’s downtown confirmed the suspicions of many residents, who earlier said Sunday’s fire – the second major one in four days to two Main Street buildings – was just “too coincidental” and “had to be arson.”

Sgt. Stewart “Stu” Jacobs, the state fire investigation supervisor, said the fire was set intentionally, but declined to comment further because of the continuing criminal investigation.

Jacobs explained that there are three classifications for fires: intentional, accidental and undetermined. He said arson was only the violation of criminal statute.

After working around the clock since Sunday to determine the cause of the devastating fire, state investigators now are shifting the focus of their investigation to who started it.

“We are reluctant to provide any details at this time,” said Jacobs. “Obviously, the second stage of any investigation goes from what happened to who is responsible. The part of the case we are in now is who is responsible for the fire. We have leads we are following up on.”

Seven state fire investigators, assisted by five agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, spent much of Tuesday examining the building at 26-30 Main St.

Jacobs said officials confirmed that the fire started in the basement of the building. The single-story concrete structure, owned by Eugene Ayer, housed two businesses – AMB Video and Pratt’s Hodge Podge Shop, and was to add a third business beginning Feb. 1.

Last Thursday, fire destroyed two buildings on Main Street, displacing four businesses and leaving two people homeless. That fire, it was determined, was caused by an overloaded extension cord.

The two major fires in a three-day span have destroyed about 25 percent of Lincoln’s downtown business district, which town officials say could cost more than $1.1 million to replace.

The fires destroyed four buildings, which housed 10 businesses. The businesses employed about 40 people.

Gov. Angus King plans to come to Lincoln on Saturday to view the fire sites between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

Rep. Rod Carr, R-Lincoln, who also is chairman of the Lincoln Town Council, was instrumental in arranging King’s visit. “It is good for him to see firsthand the amount of devastation on Main Street,” said Carr. He said King and Steve Levesque, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development, have been working with town officials.

Town Manager Glenn Aho said he was pleased that King was coming to Lincoln. “His staff has been of extreme support and of great help to the town of Lincoln,” he said. “The governor has been extremely supportive in helping to turn Lincoln’s Main Street around.”

Lincoln town officials continue to be busy trying to help find temporary and permanent space for the businesses that were burnt out by both fires and on a plan to rebuild the downtown.

The Lincoln Town Council will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Friday to authorize Aho to seek financial assistance from state and federal agencies. The council also will vote to accept private donations from groups and individuals.