An alert employee at Kunori Pacific College in Hilo is credited with putting out a stove fire in a campus apartment last night.

Big Island firefighters responded to the fire at 139 Kapiolani Street at 8:23 p.m. and found the fire had been put out by the unidentified employee using a portable fire extinguisher.

Firefighters ventilated smoke and fumes from the dry chemical extinguishing agent from the apartment, where three students live.

The fire was confined to the stove and kitchen hood. Damage is estimated at $5,000. 

Firefighters say a pot left unattended was the cause.