Key Points
- A 2-alarm fire destroyed two buildings and burned 15 vehicles at Rich Landscape Inc., a landscaping business in the Redmond/Sammish area of King County, Washington
- The fire was reported around 3 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, with Eastside Fire & Rescue making the initial announcement at approximately 3:27 a.m.
- Both directions of State Route 202 (Redmond-Fall City Road) are closed between 276th Ave. NE and 292nd Ave. SE at Northeast Tolt Hill Road, with officials expecting an extended closure
- Firefighting efforts were complicated by the absence of a functional fire hydrant in the area, low water pressure, and small vehicle explosions on the property
- Crews from Redmond, Bellevue, Woodinville, Eastside Fire, Kirkland, and Seattle – totaling at least 66 firefighters – are battling the stubborn fire
- As of 5 a.m., firefighters remained at the scene ensuring the fire was under control
- The cause of the blaze remains unknown as investigators assess the scene
- The landscaping property is located on the side of a hill in the 27900 block of Redmond-Fall City Road
- Fire spread from one building to another, destroying both structures on the property
- Commuters are being asked to seek alternate routes and expect major delays due to the extended road closure
Redmond (King County Insider) June 3, 2026 – A major 2-alarm fire erupted early Wednesday morning at Rich Landscape Inc., a commercial landscaping business in the Sammamish area near Redmond, Washington, destroying two buildings and burning approximately 15 vehicles on the property.
As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, the initial call came in at about 3 a.m. reporting a large building on fire that was spreading to nearby trees. Eastside Fire and Rescue made the initial announcement on social media at approximately 3:27 a.m., stating that crews were responding to a commercial structure fire on the 27900 block of Redmond-Fall City Road.
The fire quickly spread from one building to another, leaving both structures completely destroyed, according to Eastside Fire and Rescue. About 15 vehicles parked on the property also caught fire, creating small explosions that concerned neighbors and made it more challenging for firefighters to attack the blaze.
As reported by KOMO News Staff, a van caught fire behind the building and started the two buildings on fire. The view from the KOMO 4 Drone shows the extent of the damage at the scene.
Why Was Firefighting effort Complicated at This Scene?
According to FOX 13 Seattle, the landscaping business is located on the side of a hill, and the fire hydrant that crews hoped to use had water pressure issues. This forced crews to create a water tender relay – a system where firefighters use additional vehicles to transport water to get the fire contained.
There is no hydrant in the area, prompting fire officials to say they are expecting a larger response and a longer firefight, as reported in the initial Eastside Fire & Rescue announcement . The combination of the hillside location, lack of accessible water, and vehicle explosions created significant challenges for the firefighting crews.
Minor vehicle explosions at the scene further complicated firefighting efforts, according to investigators assessing the scene.
How Did the Road Closure Affect Commuters?
Both directions of State Route 202, also known as Redmond-Fall City Road, were blocked between 276th Ave. NE and 292nd Ave. SE . According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, both directions of State Route 202 at Northeast Tolt Hill Road are blocked.
As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, this is expected to be an extended closure, and traffic officials are asking the public to expect delays and seek alternate routes. Commuters are asked to please be patient with what will likely be an extended closure as crews work in the area, according to the initial fire department announcement .
SR-202 closure is expected to cause major delays for morning commuters in the Redmond and Sammamish area.
What Do We Know About the Fire’s Cause?
Investigators are on the scene, but there is no word yet about what may have caused the fire, according to FOX 13 Seattle’s developing story. The cause of the blaze remains unknown as investigators assess the scene.
As FOX 13 Seattle noted in their report, this is a developing story, and more information is expected as the investigation continues.
Which Emergency Response Teams Are Involved?
At least 66 firefighters from Redmond, Bellevue, Woodinville, Eastside Fire, Kirkland, and Seattle are battling the stubborn fire at the wood. Eastside Fire and Rescue led the initial response, with crews from multiple jurisdictions joining the effort.
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters remained at the scene making sure the fire was under control.
Background of the Development
Rich Landscape Inc. is a licensed construction contractor located at 27901 Redmond Fall City Hwy, Redmond, WA, according to BuildZoom records. The company holds a Construction Contractor license and three other licenses according to the Washington license board, with a BuildZoom score of 90 indicating they are licensed or registered.
The company’s employees include Michael Richards, as documented in licensing records. Rich Landscape Inc. offers landscape design services for Redmond and Seattle, Washington, according to their website richlandscaping.com.
Customer reviews on the company’s website indicate they have worked with clients for landscaping projects, with one customer named Daniella Tobar stating they’ve worked with Rich’s Landscape for the past year and rated them A++++. The company specializes in hardscaping, synthetic turf grass, and landscape design according to their blog content.
The property where the fire occurred is located in the 27900 block of Redmond-Fall City Road in the Ames Lake area of Redmond, near Sammamish. The landscaping business occupies multiple buildings on the property, which Eastside Fire & Rescue confirmed in their initial announcement .
Prediction:
Impact on Daily Commuters
Morning commuters in the Redmond and Sammamish area will face significant disruptions due to the extended SR-202 closure. The road closure between 276th Ave. NE and 292nd Ave. SE affects a major east-west corridor used by residents traveling between Redmond, Fall City, and Sammamish . Commuters should expect major delays and seek alternate routes, according to traffic officials.
The extended closure could add 15-30 minutes or more to typical commute times for residents who rely on SR-202 for daily travel to work, school, or other activities in the Eastside region. Workers in the Sammamish and Redmond business districts may need to leave earlier than usual or find alternative transportation options until the road reopens.
Impact on Local Businesses
Rich Landscape Inc.’s operations will be completely halted until the business can assess damage and rebuild, affecting customers who had scheduled landscaping projects. Clients with ongoing or planned landscaping projects will need to find alternative contractors, potentially causing delays in home improvement timelines throughout the Redmond and Seattle area.
Other businesses along SR-202 may experience reduced customer traffic due to the road closure, as drivers will likely avoid the area until the road reopens.
Impact on Emergency Response Infrastructure
This fire highlights the infrastructure challenge of lacking adequate fire hydrant coverage in certain areas of Redmond and Sammamish . The water pressure issues and absence of a functional hydrant forced crews to use water tender relay systems, which require more resources and time.
Local officials and fire departments may face increased pressure to address water infrastructure gaps in hillside commercial areas to prevent similar challenges in future emergencies.
Impact on Property Owners and Insurance
The destruction of two buildings and 15 vehicles represents significant financial loss for Rich Landscape Inc. The business will need to work with their insurance company to eventually replace what was lost, as is typical in commercial fire incidents.
Property owners in the area may see increased scrutiny from fire departments regarding commercial property safety standards, particularly for businesses storing vehicles and equipment on hillside properties .
Long-term Community Impact
The 2-alarm fire demonstrates the vulnerability of commercial properties in areas with limited fire infrastructure, potentially influencing future zoning and building code decisions for commercial landscaping businesses in King County. Residents and business owners in similar hillside locations without adequate hydrant access may need to prepare for longer emergency response times and more complex firefighting operations .
The fire investigation results could lead to updated safety recommendations for commercial properties storing vehicles and equipment, particularly those involving flammable materials common in landscaping operations.
