Stonington — Police said their investigation into an early Wednesday morning fire at the Town Dock that sank a lobster boat and damaged another boat that was tied to it is continuing Thursday morning.

Capt. Todd Olson said this morning a crane was attached to the boat in order to lift it out of the water.

The vessel is now out of the water, according to Cyndy Chanaca, a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokeswoman.

Olson said that once the boat is on dry land, investigators could begin to look at what may have caused the fire and whether the blaze was accidental or intentionally set.

He said the 43-foot boat was owned by the Maderia family, a well-known fishing family in the community.

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

The fire was reported around 4:30 a.m., but he said it appeared the boat was burning for quite some time.

He said a state fire marshal and local detectives were at the scene Thursday morning and will assist with the investigation.

The spill contractor was removing diesel fuel from the vessel and 250 gallons of fuel were recovered, Chanaca said.

She said approximately 50 gallons of fuel spilled into the waterway.