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by KOMO News Staff
REDMOND, Wash. — Flames tore through much of a family-run nursery and landscaping business early Wednesday morning, leveling two buildings, destroying equipment and vehicles, and forcing firefighters into a slow, defensive battle as they struggled with limited water access.
Eastside Fire & Rescue said the business is in the 27900 block of Redmond Fall City Road.
Daylight revealed the extent of the damage at Rich Landscaping, a family-run business near busy Redmond Fall City Road. Two buildings burned to the ground, and equipment and product were wiped out, including a row of riding mowers reduced to charred metal. The fire devoured 15 work vehicles and spread to nearby trees, with reports of multiple explosions.
No one was hurt, and no one was at the property during the 3 a.m. fire.
"It's god’s gift no one was here, and no one was injured," said Jim Solberg, a lifelong resident who lives near the landscaping company. Solberg said his wife bought maple trees from the business years ago, and the couple stopped by to see what was left.
"Most of the people around here have some feelings for what happened here; it's a tragedy. I'm sorry to see this happen," Solberg said.
A former employee told KOMO News he heard the scanner call and felt compelled to come see the damage firsthand. The fire’s impact is expected to ripple through the company’s operations at the start of summer projects, with 145 employees affected. Rich Landscaping’s work includes operating a nursery, landscape maintenance and lawn care, drainage work, and patio building.
"It puts a lot of people out of work, and a lot of landscaping jobs aren't going to be done," said Solberg, who commented on how many Rich Landscaping trucks he sees all over the region.
Multiple fire departments responded to the intense blaze, but crews had to rely on tender trucks and set up a relay system to get water on the fire because they said the only nearby hydrant was not operational.
"We don't have a hydrant in the area that's operational," Eastside Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Catherine Imboden said at the scene as crews searched for hot spots.
Imboden said a nonworking hydrant is not common, but it is not ideal. She said hydrants can have low water pressure for a variety of reasons, including weather-related issues, a leak, or a lack of maintenance.
"Working hydrants always make a big difference because you automatically have an endless source of water," Imboden said. "This was a defensive fire from the beginning."
Imboden told KOMO News that the King County Sheriff's Office fire investigation unit is investigating the cause of the fire, including the reported hydrant issue and any related inspection records. Officials said it could take weeks to complete the investigation.
Firefighters from Bellevue, Fall City, Snoqualmie, and Redmond responded.
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