Tuna cans.(Fotolia)

A worker at a seafood plant in California died when he was "cooked" in a steamer Thursday.

Jose Melena, 62, an employee of the canning plant Bumble Bee Foods, was killed, factory officials told the Whittier Daily News.

A state occupational safety and health spokeswoman said Melena was "fatally injured when he was cooked" in a steamer machine, reports the newspaper.

Police said in a statement the man was found dead at about 7 a.m.

It is not yet known how the man, who was employed at the factory for six years, ended up in the oven.

Operations at the Santa Fe Springs plant have been suspended until Monday while an investigation is conducted.