Widebody; Low Wing; 3 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff we received a level 3 forward lower cargo fire warning. Per Phase one procedures 'FLASHING DISCHARGE SWITCH PUSH' was accomplished. We were 80 miles south of ZZZ. We declared an emergency with Center and turned direct to ZZZ. We ran the emergency checklist for lower cargo fire. An ILS was flown to Runway 36C. We cleared the runway; stopped the jet; and had Crash Fire Rescue inspect the jet's forward exterior cargo area. They found no indication of fire. We then taxied to the ramp where CFR opened and inspected the lower forward cargo compartment. No fire indications were found.
In response to what turned out to be a false cargo fire warning the flight crew performed the associated checklists and procedures and diverted to a nearby airport. Inspections by CFR immediately after landing and at the ramp discovered no evidence of fire.