The state fire marshal and local police are investigating a blaze aboard a lobster boat at Stonington Town Dock. The fire is thought to have broken out in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and may have been burning for some time before the alarm was raised at about 4.30 am.
The boat eventually sunk. Another vessel that was tied up to it also suffered damage, and the dock itself was also charred.
The boat belongs to brothers Justin and Travis Maderia, who own the company The Lobster Boys.
"We're going to try to obtain the insurance information, contact the insurance company and then work with them as far as raising the vessel up," said Detective Sergeant Dave Knowles from Stonington Police.
"We are being assisted by the state police, state fire marshal and the local fire marshal," Knowles said.
He added that the recovery operation might take several hours.