San Francisco, California—Recovery crews searching the remains of a historic church in Lower Pacific Heights located a body on Thursday morning. The building had been consumed by a three-alarm fire earlier in the week. The fire, which began during exterior renovation work, caused the roof to collapse into the main worship hall.

The San Francisco Fire Department initially reported that no one was inside the building when the blaze erupted on Monday. However, the discovery of a body during the systematic clearing of the ruins has shifted the scope of the investigation. Fire investigators are now working alongside the medical examiner to identify the victim.

The church, a landmark dating back to the late 19th century, suffered total interior structural failure as the fire tore through the dry timber framing. Waterlogged pews and charred remnants of the original structure made the recovery process dangerous for personnel. Stability teams had to reinforce the walls before allowing anyone to enter the debris field.

Officials have not yet determined how the individual was in the building at the time of the fire. The site had been under a strict no-entry order since the fire was extinguished on Tuesday. Forensic teams are currently examining the area where the body was found to see if it provides clues regarding the victim's presence.

Community leaders and members of the congregation are mourning the loss of the landmark and now the discovery of a fatality. The church had been a cornerstone of the neighborhood for nearly a century. The focus of the authorities has transitioned from fire suppression to a death investigation.

Construction crews who were working on the exterior of the building when the fire started are being interviewed by fire inspectors. The fire department’s preliminary investigation suggested that the blaze was accidental, likely sparked by welding or heating equipment used on the porous sandstone.

The area around the corner of California and Broderick streets remains blocked to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Debris removal is expected to continue for several days. Investigators say they will provide an update once the body is positively identified and next of kin are contacted.

The investigation into the fire’s origin continues. Officials state that the site is currently being treated as a crime scene until all evidence regarding the victim’s identity and entry into the building is fully vetted.