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By Lookout Staff

April 9 -- The body of a homeless man was found at the scene of a fire in Santa Monica’s industrial zone Tuesday night.

The body of the unidentified man was found after firefighters extinguished a blaze that started shortly before 10:30 p.m. at 3028 Nebraska Ave, the site of a small commercial building.

The first companies to arrive at the scene found smoke coming from a small lean-to next to the reported address, said Scott Ziegert, a spokesman for the Fire Department.

“They made forced entry and extinguished the fire,” Ziegert said. “The body of a deceased male was uncovered in the debris.”

Identification and cause of death are pending results of the coroner’s autopsy, he said.

Fire Department investigators and Police Department detectives are investigating the cause of the fire, Ziegert said.

The cost of the damage has not been established, he said.

Lt. Calisse Lindsey told KNBC News that the fire was believed to have been accidental, possibly stemming from an electrical problem.

"He was a homeless man who was allowed to sleep there," she told the station.

Three Engine Companies, one Truck Company, one Rescue Ambulance, one Battalion Chief and two Fire Investigators responded to the scene, Ziegert said. Police assisted with traffic control.