Stonington — Police said they are investigating an early morning fire at the Town Dock that sank a lobster boat and damaged another boat that was tied to it.

Capt. Todd Olson said police were notified of the fire at 4:33 a.m., but it appeared that the boat was burning for "quite some time" before fire and police personnel arrived at the scene.

He said the 43-foot boat was owned by the Maderia family, a well-known fishing family in the community. He said the boat wasn't used for some time.

"They're a fishing family," said Olson. "They fish for a livelihood."

Olson said the fire damaged the dock's pilings and decking.

Police, Olson said, are treating the area as a crime scene.

He said those on the case, working with an insurance company and a salvage contractor, plan to raise the boat from the water Thursday morning so an investigation into the cause of the fire can begin.

He said a state fire marshal was called to assist with the investigation.

In addition to the Stonington Borough Fire Department, Emergency Management Director George Brennan, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Pawcatuck and Mystic fire departments also responded to the scene.