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# Death deemed an accident
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/death-deemed-an-accident/
- Published: 2008-04-17T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:17:39.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless

*By CHIARA CANZI Special to the Daily Press*

DOWNTOWN L.A. The death of a man whose body was found in the debris of a art studio after a fire was determined to be accidental, officials reported Wednesday.

The body showed no signs of trauma, but did show signs of smoke inhalation and thermo injuries, the probable causes of death, according to a spokesman from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

The victim has not yet been identified. The coroner is currently comparing X-rays from the autopsy, running them through an internal database.

In the early hours of Wednesday, April 9 the Santa Monica Fire Department responded to a reported studio fire at 3028 Nebraska Ave. The fire rapidly engulfed the small space forcing the firefighters to force their way in. The SMFD reported that a body was recovered in the debris.

The owner of the building said that a homeless man was allowed to sleep in the small quarters.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/041708-05_01.jpg)

THE SCENE: A fire at an art studio on Nebraska Avenue killed a man staying in the structure. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 17, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041708.pdf?ref=smdp.com)